Patents by Inventor Fong-Li Chou
Fong-Li Chou 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: 9523522Abstract: In some embodiments, a refrigeration device includes: walls substantially forming a liquid-impermeable container configured to hold phase change material internal to a refrigeration device; at least one active refrigeration unit including a set of evaporator coils positioned within an interior of the liquid-impermeable container; walls substantially forming a storage region; and a heat transfer system including a first group of vapor-impermeable structures with a hollow interior connected to form a condenser in thermal contact with the walls substantially forming a liquid-impermeable container, a second group of vapor-impermeable structures with a hollow interior connected to form an evaporator in thermal contact with the walls substantially forming a storage region, and a connector with a hollow interior affixed to both the condenser and the evaporator, the connector forming a liquid and vapor flow path between the hollow interior of the condenser and the hollow interior of the evaporator.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2015Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: Tokitae LLCInventors: Fong-Li Chou, Philip A. Eckhoff, Lawrence Morgan Fowler, William Gates, Jennifer Ezu Hu, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Fridrik Larusson, Shieng Liu, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Brian L. Pal, Nels R. Peterson, David Keith Piech, Maurizio Vecchione, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood, David J. Yager
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Publication number: 20160361232Abstract: Methods and devices are described for packaging a multi-monodose container including covering a molded structure with a hermetically-sealable overwrap, the molded structure including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion including a row of interconnected monodose pharmaceutical vials, each of the interconnected monodose pharmaceutical vials enclosing a dose of at least one pharmaceutical agent, the second portion affixed to the first portion and including a textured surface pattern positioned to direct gas flow between the first portion and a region adjacent to the second portion; evacuating at least a portion of air from around the molded structure, the evacuated air at least partially flowing over the textured surface pattern of the second portion; forming a hermetic seal around the row of interconnected monodose pharmaceutical vials; and separating the second portion of the molded structure from the first portion of the molded structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2015Publication date: December 15, 2016Inventors: Fong-Li Chou, Philip A. Eckhoff, Lawrence Morgan Fowler, Shieng Liu, Krishnan Natarajan, Nels R. Peterson, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
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Publication number: 20160361233Abstract: Methods are described for packaging a foldable container including covering a multi-monodose container in an expanded configuration with a hermetically-sealable overwrap, the multi-monodose container including a row of interconnected monodose pharmaceutical vials, each of the monodose pharmaceutical vials enclosing at least one pharmaceutical agent, the interconnected monodose pharmaceutical vials connected to one another by one or more articulating joints sufficiently flexible to form a folded configuration of the multi-monodose container; exerting a force on at least one of the monodose pharmaceutical vials; bending the one or more articulating joints to form the folded configuration of the multi-monodose container in response to the exerted force; and sealing the hermetically-sealable overwrap to form a hermetic seal around the folded configuration of the multi-monodose container.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2015Publication date: December 15, 2016Inventors: Fong-Li Chou, Philip A. Eckhoff, Lawrence Morgan Fowler, Shieng Liu, Krishnan Natarajan, Nels R. Peterson, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
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Publication number: 20160361231Abstract: Multi-monodose containers are described including a row of at least two vials, a first vial connected to an adjacent second vial through an articulating joint, the articulating joint sufficiently flexible to reversibly mate a planar outer surface of the first vial with a planar outer surface of the adjacent second vial; wherein the row of the at least two vials is configured to form a first rectangular packing cross-sectional area in an expanded configuration and configured to form a second rectangular packing cross-sectional area in a folded configuration, the second rectangular packing cross-sectional area smaller than the first rectangular packing cross-sectional area.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2015Publication date: December 15, 2016Inventors: Fong-Li Chou, Philip A. Eckhoff, Lawrence Morgan Fowler, Shieng Liu, Krishnan Natarajan, Nels R. Peterson, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
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Patent number: 9518956Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for concentrating particles (e.g., bacteria, viruses, cells, and nucleic acids) suspended in a liquid. Electric-field-induced forces urge the particles towards a first electrode immersed in the liquid. When the particles are in close proximity to (e.g., in contact with) the first electrode, the electrode is withdrawn from the liquid and capillary forces formed between the withdrawing electrode and the surface of the liquid immobilize the particles on the electrode. Upon withdrawal of the electrode from the liquid, the portion of the electrode previously immersed in the liquid has particles immobilized on its surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2015Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: University of WashingtonInventors: Jae-Hyun Chung, Woonhong Yeo, Kyong-Hoon Lee, Jeffrey W. Chamberlain, Gareth Fotouhi, Shieng Liu, Kie Seok Oh, Daniel M. Ratner, Dayong Gao, Fong-Li Chou
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Patent number: 9435578Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to apparatuses and methods for storing temperature-sensitive items. More specifically, embodiments include a storage apparatus that may store the temperature-sensitive items. For example, the storage apparatus may include a storage compartment that may be maintained at a predetermined temperature or temperature range.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2013Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: TOKITAE LLCInventors: Ryan Calderon, Fong-Li Chou, Michael Friend, David Gasperino, Shieng Liu, Matthew F. Rosen, Shannon Weise Stone, Ozgur Emek Yildirim
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Publication number: 20160084577Abstract: Portage storage containers including controlled evaporative cooling systems are described herein. In some embodiments, a portable container including an integral controlled evaporative cooling system includes: a storage region, an evaporative region adjacent to the storage region, a desiccant region adjacent to the outside of the container, and an insulation region positioned between the evaporative region and the desiccant region. A vapor conduit with an attached vapor control unit has a first end within the evaporative region and a second end within the desiccant region. In some embodiments, the controlled evaporative cooling systems are positioned in a radial configuration within the portable container.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2015Publication date: March 24, 2016Inventors: Fong Li Chou, Philip A. Eckhoff, Lawrence Morgan Fowler, Shieng Liu, Peter K. Maier-Laxhuber, Nels R. Peterson, Ralf W. Schmidt, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Reiner M. Wörz, David J. Yager
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Publication number: 20160025677Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for concentrating particles (e.g., bacteria, viruses, cells, and nucleic acids) suspended in a liquid. Electric-field-induced forces urge the particles towards a first electrode immersed in the liquid. When the particles are in close proximity to (e.g., in contact with) the first electrode, the electrode is withdrawn from the liquid and capillary forces formed between the withdrawing electrode and the surface of the liquid immobilize the particles on the electrode. Upon withdrawal of the electrode from the liquid, the portion of the electrode previously immersed in the liquid has particles immobilized on its surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2015Publication date: January 28, 2016Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTONInventors: Jae-Hyun Chung, Woonhong Yeo, Kyong-Hoon Lee, Jeffrey W. Chamberlain, Gareth Fotouhi, Shieng Liu, Kie Seok Oh, Daniel M. Ratner, Dayong Gao, Fong-Li Chou
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Publication number: 20150359708Abstract: In some embodiments, an affixed group of pharmaceutical vials with frangible connectors includes: a plurality of pharmaceutical vials arranged as a group of pharmaceutical vials, each of the plurality of pharmaceutical vials shaped and positioned to minimize a total volume of the group of pharmaceutical vials, each of the pharmaceutical vials including at least one external side with a surface configured to reversibly mate with a corresponding external side and a surface of an adjacent pharmaceutical vial; and a plurality of frangible connectors, wherein at least one frangible connector is affixed to the surface of at least two of the plurality of pharmaceutical vials within the group of pharmaceutical vials, and at least one frangible connector is affixed to each of the plurality of pharmaceutical vials.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2014Publication date: December 17, 2015Inventors: John Boomgard, Fong-Li Chou, Philip A. Eckhoff, Fridrik Larusson, Shieng Liu, Krishnan Natarajan, Nels R. Peterson, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
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Patent number: 9139351Abstract: Substantially thermally sealed containers including flexible connectors joining an aperture in the exterior of the container to an aperture in a substantially thermally sealed storage region within the container are described. The flexible connectors include a duct forming an elongated thermal pathway between the exterior of the container and the substantially thermally sealed storage region within the container. The flexible connectors include compression units mated to each end of the duct and a plurality of compression strands connected between the compression units.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2010Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: TOKITAE LLCInventors: Fong-Li Chou, Geoffrey F. Deane, William Gates, Zihong Guo, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K. Y. Jung, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Nels R. Peterson, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
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Publication number: 20150233617Abstract: In some embodiments, a refrigeration device includes: walls substantially forming a liquid-impermeable container configured to hold phase change material internal to a refrigeration device; at least one active refrigeration unit including a set of evaporator coils positioned within an interior of the liquid-impermeable container; walls substantially forming a storage region; and a heat transfer system including a first group of vapor-impermeable structures with a hollow interior connected to form a condenser in thermal contact with the walls substantially forming a liquid-impermeable container, a second group of vapor-impermeable structures with a hollow interior connected to form an evaporator in thermal contact with the walls substantially forming a storage region, and a connector with a hollow interior affixed to both the condenser and the evaporator, the connector forming a liquid and vapor flow path between the hollow interior of the condenser and the hollow interior of the evaporator.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2015Publication date: August 20, 2015Inventors: Fong-Li Chou, Philip A. Eckhoff, Lawrence Morgan Fowler, William Gates, Jennifer Ezu Hu, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Fridrik Larusson, Shieng Liu, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Brian L. Pal, Nels R. Peterson, David Keith Piech, Maurizio Vecchione, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood, David J. Yager
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Patent number: 9097664Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for concentrating particles (e.g., bacteria, viruses, cells, and nucleic acids) suspended in a liquid. Electric-field-induced forces urge the particles towards a first electrode immersed in the liquid. When the particles are in close proximity to (e.g., in contact with) the first electrode, the electrode is withdrawn from the liquid and capillary forces formed between the withdrawing electrode and the surface of the liquid immobilize the particles on the electrode. Upon withdrawal of the electrode from the liquid, the portion of the electrode previously immersed in the liquid has particles immobilized on its surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2013Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: University of WashingtonInventors: Jae-Hyun Chung, Woonhong Yeo, Kyong-Hoon Lee, Jeffrey W. Chamberlain, Gareth Fotouhi, Shieng Liu, Kie Seok Oh, Daniel M. Ratner, Dayong Gao, Fong-Li Chou
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Publication number: 20150159924Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to apparatuses and methods for storing temperature-sensitive items. More specifically, embodiments include a storage apparatus that may store the temperature-sensitive items. For example, the storage apparatus may include a storage compartment that may be maintained at a predetermined temperature or temperature range.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2013Publication date: June 11, 2015Applicant: Tokitae LLCInventors: Ryan Calderon, Fong-Li Chou, Michael Friend, David Gasperino, Shieng Liu, Matthew F. Rosen, Shannon Weise Stone, Ozgur Emek Yildirim
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Publication number: 20150143831Abstract: In some embodiments, a refrigeration device includes: walls substantially forming a liquid-impermeable container configured to hold phase change material internal to the refrigeration device; at least one active refrigeration unit including a set of evaporator coils positioned at least partially within the liquid-impermeable container; a unidirectional thermal conductor with a condensing end and an evaporative end, the condensing end positioned within the liquid-impermeable container; a first aperture in the liquid-impermeable container, the first aperture of a size, shape and position to permit the set of evaporator coils to traverse the aperture; a second aperture in the liquid-impermeable container, the second aperture including an internal surface of a size, shape and position to mate with an external surface of the unidirectional thermal conductor; and one or more walls substantially forming a storage region in thermal contact with the evaporative end of the unidirectional thermal conductor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2014Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: Fong-Li Chou, Philip A. Eckhoff, Lawrence Morgan Fowler, William Gates, Jennifer Ezu Hu, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Fridrik Larusson, Shieng Liu, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Nels R. Peterson, Clarence T. Tegreene, Maurizio Vecchione, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood
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Publication number: 20150027157Abstract: In some embodiments, a medicinal storage container includes: a desiccant unit including external walls forming a gas-impermeable barrier around an interior desiccant region and including an aperture; a heating element; a controller operably attached to the heating element; a cooling unit; a compressor system including at least one evaporator coil unit, the compressor operably connected to the controller; a vapor conduit, the vapor conduit attached to a the desiccant unit at a first end, the vapor conduit attached to the evaporative cooling unit at a second end, the vapor conduit forming an internal, gas-impermeable passageway between the desiccant unit and the cooling unit; a vapor control unit attached to the vapor conduit and operably attached to the controller; and a medicinal storage unit including external walls encircling a medicinal storage region including a temperature sensor operably connected to the controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2014Publication date: January 29, 2015Inventors: Fong-Li Chou, Philip A. Eckhoff, Lawrence Morgan Fowler, Fridrik Larusson, Shieng Liu, Nels R. Peterson, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
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Patent number: 8940092Abstract: The present invention relates generally to nanocomposite materials. The present invention relates more particularly to hybrid fibers as well as devices including them and methods for making them. Accordingly, one aspect of the invention is a hybrid fiber including a plurality of nanowires, each nanowire having a length, a width, and a thickness, the length being at least 10 times the width and at least 10 times the thickness; and a plurality of binder elements, each binder element having a length, a width, and a thickness, each substantially smaller than the average length of the nanowires and at least one of which is less than about 10 nm in dimension, the binder elements being arranged to intercouple individual nanowires. In certain embodiments, the binder elements are carbon nanotubes, and the nanowires are formed from silicon carbide.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2012Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: University of Washington through its Center for CommercializationInventors: Woon-Hong Yeo, Kieseok Oh, Kyong-Hoon Lee, Fong-Li Chou, Jae-Hyun Chung
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Publication number: 20140251808Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for concentrating particles (e.g., bacteria, viruses, cells, and nucleic acids) suspended in a liquid. Electric-field-induced forces urge the particles towards a first electrode immersed in the liquid. When the particles are in close proximity to (e.g., in contact with) the first electrode, the electrode is withdrawn from the liquid and capillary forces formed between the withdrawing electrode and the surface of the liquid immobilize the particles on the electrode. Upon withdrawal of the electrode from the liquid, the portion of the electrode previously immersed in the liquid has particles immobilized on its surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: University of WashingtonInventors: Jae-Hyun Chung, Woonhong Yeo, Kyong-Hoon Lee, Jeffrey W. Chamberlain, Gareth Fotouhi, Shieng Liu, Kie Seok Oh, Daniel M. Ratner, Dayong Gao, Fong-Li Chou
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Patent number: 8632669Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for concentrating particles (e.g., bacteria, viruses, cells, and nucleic acids) suspended in a liquid. Electric-field-induced forces urge the particles towards a first electrode immersed in the liquid. When the particles are in close proximity to (e.g., in contact with) the first electrode, the electrode is withdrawn from the liquid and capillary forces formed between the withdrawing electrode and the surface of the liquid immobilize the particles on the electrode. Upon withdrawal of the electrode from the liquid, the portion of the electrode previously immersed in the liquid has particles immobilized on its surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2009Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: University of WashingtonInventors: Jae-Hyun Chung, Woonhong Yeo, Kyong-Hoon Lee, Jeffrey W. Chamberlain, Gareth Fotouhi, Shieng Liu, Kie Seok Oh, Daniel M. Ratner, Dayong Gao, Fong-Li Chou
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Publication number: 20120085070Abstract: Methods and apparatus described herein relate to establishing and maintaining low gas pressure within a gas-sealed device fabricated from heat sensitive materials. Methods include transferring activated getters within the interior of an apparatus from regions fabricated from heat-resistant materials to interior regions of the gas-sealed device fabricated from heat-sensitive materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2011Publication date: April 12, 2012Inventors: Fong-Li Chou, William Gates, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K.Y. Jung, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
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Publication number: 20110155745Abstract: Substantially thermally sealed containers including flexible connectors joining an aperture in the exterior of the container to an aperture in a substantially thermally sealed storage region within the container are described. The flexible connectors include a duct forming an elongated thermal pathway between the exterior of the container and the substantially thermally sealed storage region within the container. The flexible connectors include compression units mated to each end of the duct and a plurality of compression strands connected between the compression units.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2010Publication date: June 30, 2011Inventors: Fong-Li Chou, Geoffrey F. Deane, William Gates, Zihong Guo, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K.Y. Jung, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Nels R. Peterson, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR.