Patents by Inventor Frank E. Block
Frank E. Block 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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Publication number: 20210198607Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a multichamber bioreactor. The multichamber bioreactor includes multiple planar layers stacked on each other defining at least one chamber and a clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism includes a housing and retaining means received in the housing and configured to generate a controlled and uniform pressure to secure the stacked multiple planar layers in the housing. Each chamber is implemented from a separate fluidic layer, with each fluidic layer having ports and valves independent of the other layers. The micro fluidic ports can be actuated through a micro fluidic interconnect system utilizing rotary cylinder valves.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2019Publication date: July 1, 2021Inventors: John P. WIKSWO, Eric C. SPIVEY, David K. SCHAFFER, Ronald S. REISERER, Kevin T. SEALE, Frank E. BLOCK, III
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Patent number: 10577574Abstract: The invention relates to a system of fluidic valves and pumps and associated fluidic channels integratable into a bio-object microfluidics module. The module includes input and output buses; upstream and downstream interconnection bus control valves (CVs) coupled to the input and output buses, respectively. It may include arterial, venous, wash and waste bus lines, each connecting between the upstream and downstream interconnection bus CVs. It may also include an input CV connecting to the arterial bus line, upstream interconnection bus CV, bio-object and inlets, and an output CV connecting to the bio-object, input CV, downstream interconnection bus CV and outlets; and a pump connecting between the input CV and bio-object. The system of fluidic valves and pumps can be arranged to provide MicroFormulator functionality enabling precise mixtures of drugs, chemicals, or biochemicals to be delivered in a time-dependent fashion to biological entities housed in individual wells or chambers.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2018Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITYInventors: John P. Wikswo, Frank E. Block, III, Philip C. Samson
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Patent number: 10119622Abstract: A rotary planar peristaltic micropump (RPPM) includes an actuator having a shaft engaged with a motor such that activation of the motor causes the shaft to rotate, and a bearing assembly engaged with the shaft. The bearing assembly has a bearing cage defining a plurality of spaced-apart openings thereon, and a plurality of rolling-members accommodated in the plurality of spaced-apart openings of the bearing cage, such that when the shaft rotates, the plurality of rolling-members of the bearing assembly rolls along a circular path. The RPPM also includes a fluidic path in fluidic communication with first and second ports. The fluidic path is positioned under the actuator and coincident with the circular path, such that when the shaft of the actuator rotates, the plurality of rolling-members of the bearing assembly rolls along the fluidic path to cause a fluid to transfer between the first and second ports.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2017Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITYInventors: Frank E. Block, III, Philip C. Samson, Erik M. Werner, Dmitry A. Markov, Ronald S. Reiserer, Jennifer R. Mckenzie, David E. Cliffel, William J. Matloff, Frank E. Block, Jr., Joseph R. Scherrer, W. Hunter Tidwell, John P. Wikswo
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Publication number: 20180298319Abstract: The invention relates to a system of fluidic valves and pumps and associated fluidic channels integratable into a bio-object microfluidics module. The module includes input and output buses; upstream and downstream interconnection bus control valves (CVs) coupled to the input and output buses, respectively. It may include arterial, venous, wash and waste bus lines, each connecting between the upstream and downstream interconnection bus CVs. It may also include an input CV connecting to the arterial bus line, upstream interconnection bus CV, bio-object and inlets, and an output CV connecting to the bio-object, input CV, downstream interconnection bus CV and outlets; and a pump connecting between the input CV and bio-object. The system of fluidic valves and pumps can be arranged to provide MicroFormulator functionality enabling precise mixtures of drugs, chemicals, or biochemicals to be delivered in a time-dependent fashion to biological entities housed in individual wells or chambers.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2018Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventors: John P. Wikswo, Frank E. Block, III, Philip C. Samson
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Patent number: 10023832Abstract: The invention relates to a system of fluidic valves and pumps and associated fluidic channels integratable into a bio-object microfluidics module. The module includes input and output buses; upstream and downstream interconnection bus control valves (CVs) coupled to the input and output buses, respectively. It may include arterial, venous, wash and waste bus lines, each connecting between the upstream and downstream interconnection bus CVs. It may also include an input CV connecting to the arterial bus line, upstream interconnection bus CV, bio-object and inlets, and an output CV connecting to the bio-object, input CV, downstream interconnection bus CV and outlets; and a pump connecting between the input CV and bio-object. The system can be arranged to provide MicroFormulator functionality enabling precise mixtures of drugs, chemicals, or biochemicals to be delivered in a time-dependent fashion to biological entities housed in individual wells or chambers.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITYInventors: John P. Wikswo, Dmitry A. Markov, Philip C. Samson, Frank E. Block, III, David K. Schaffer, Ronald S. Reiserer
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Publication number: 20180080570Abstract: A rotary planar peristaltic micropump (RPPM) includes an actuator having a shaft engaged with a motor such that activation of the motor causes the shaft to rotate, and a bearing assembly engaged with the shaft. The bearing assembly has a bearing cage defining a plurality of spaced-apart openings thereon, and a plurality of rolling-members accommodated in the plurality of spaced-apart openings of the bearing cage, such that when the shaft rotates, the plurality of rolling-members of the bearing assembly rolls along a circular path. The RPPM also includes a fluidic path in fluidic communication with first and second ports. The fluidic path is positioned under the actuator and coincident with the circular path, such that when the shaft of the actuator rotates, the plurality of rolling-members of the bearing assembly rolls along the fluidic path to cause a fluid to transfer between the first and second ports.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Frank E. Block, III, Philip C. Samson, Erik M. Werner, Dmitry A. Markov, Ronald S. Reiserer, Jennifer R. Mckenzie, David E. Cliffel, William J. Matloff, Frank E. Block, JR., Joseph R. Scherrer, W. Hunter Tidwell, John P. Wikswo
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Patent number: 9874285Abstract: A platform for cultivation, maintenance, and/or analysis of one or more bio-objects includes one or more integrated bio-object microfluidics modules. Each integrated bio-object microfluidics module is configured to cultivate, maintain, analyze and/or mimic functionalities of a respective bio-object, and includes one or more on-chip pumps; a plurality of fluidic switches; and a microfluidic chip in fluid communication with the one or more on-chip pumps and the plurality of fluidic switches, having at least one chamber for accommodating the bio-object and a plurality of fluidic paths connecting the at least one chamber, the one or more on-chip pumps and the plurality of fluidic switches, and a power and control unit adapted for selectively and individually controlling the one or more on-chip pumps and the plurality of fluidic switches for performing bio-object microfluidics functions.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2013Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITYInventors: Frank E. Block, III, Philip C. Samson, Erik M. Werner, Dmitry A. Markov, Ronald S. Reiserer, Jennifer R. Mckenzie, David E. Cliffel, William J. Matloff, Frank E. Block, Jr., Joseph R. Scherrer, W. Hunter Tidwell, John P. Wikswo
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Patent number: 9618129Abstract: A normally closed valve includes a plurality of fluid channels in fluid communication with each other, defined in a flexible base such that when a fluid channel is compressed, a fluid flow through the fluid channel is occluded, otherwise, the fluid flow through the fluid channel is unoccluded; and means for selectively compressing or uncompressing a desired fluid channel.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2013Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITYInventors: Frank E. Block, III, Philip C. Samson, John P. Wikswo
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Publication number: 20170081625Abstract: The invention relates to a system of fluidic valves and pumps and associated fluidic channels integratable into a bio-object microfluidics module. The module can include input and output buses; upstream and downstream interconnection bus control valves (CVs) coupled to the input and output buses, respectively. It may include arterial, venous, wash and waste bus lines, each connecting between the upstream and downstream interconnection bus CVs. It may also include an input CV connecting to the arterial bus line, upstream interconnection bus CV, bio-object and inlets, and an output CV connecting to the bio-object, input CV, downstream interconnection bus CV and outlets; and a pump connecting between the input CV and bio-object. The system of fluidic valves and pumps can be arranged to provide MicroFormulator functionality enabling precise mixtures of drugs, chemicals, or biochemicals to be delivered in a time-dependent fashion to biological entities housed in individual wells or chambers.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2016Publication date: March 23, 2017Inventors: John P. Wikswo, Dmitry A. Markov, Philip C. Samson, Frank E. Block, III, David K. Schaffer, Ronald S. Reiserer
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Publication number: 20150308578Abstract: A normally closed valve includes a plurality of fluid channels in fluid communication with each other, defined in a flexible base such that when a fluid channel is compressed, a fluid flow through the fluid channel is occluded, otherwise, the fluid flow through the fluid channel is unoccluded; and means for selectively compressing or uncompressing a desired fluid channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2013Publication date: October 29, 2015Applicant: Vanderbilt UniversityInventors: Frank E. Block, III, Philip C. Samson, John P. Wikswo
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Publication number: 20150298123Abstract: A platform for cultivation, maintenance, and/or analysis of one or more bio-objects includes one or more integrated bio-object microfluidics modules. Each integrated bio-object microfluidics module is configured to cultivate, maintain, analyze and/or mimic functionalities of a respective bio-object, and includes one or more on-chip pumps; a plurality of fluidic switches; and a microfluidic chip in fluid communication with the one or more on-chip pumps and the plurality of fluidic switches, having at least one chamber for accommodating the bio-object and a plurality of fluidic paths connecting the at least one chamber, the one or more on-chip pumps and the plurality of fluidic switches, and a power and control unit adapted for selectively and individually controlling the one or more on-chip pumps and the plurality of fluidic switches for performing bio-object microfluidics functions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2013Publication date: October 22, 2015Inventors: Frank E. Block, III, Philip C. Samson, Erik M. Werner, Dmitry A. Markov, Ronald S. Reiserer, Jennifer R. Mckenzie, David E. Cliffel, William J. Matloff, Frank E. Block, Joseph R. Scherrer, W. Hunter Tidwell, John P. Wikswo
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Patent number: 6213120Abstract: A detector for determining the volume and volumetric changes of respiratory gases in a closed circuit anaesthesia circuit having a bellows ventilator. The device includes a first sensor positioned with respect to the bellows for detecting and indicating when the bellows assumes a given expanded position in a bellows housing indicative of the given volume of respiratory gas in the circuit. A second sensor detects and indicates when the bellows assumes an expanded position indicative of the greater amount of expansion than that corresponding to the given expanded position. During respiratory cycles of the patient, indications from the first sensor in the absence of indications from the second sensor indicates that the volume of gas in the closed circuit anaesthesia circuit is not changing, but is remaining at that corresponding to the given expanded position of the bellows.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 1997Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Assignee: Instrumentarium CorporationInventors: Frank E. Block, Gustaf Järnefelt
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Patent number: 5830185Abstract: A position-independent fluid trap for separating at least a portion of a first fluid of a first density entrained within a flow stream of a second fluid of a second density flowing through a fluid circuit. The trap is connectable within the fluid circuit to a first length of tubing defining an inlet line and to a second length of tubing defining an outlet line, and includes a housing enclosing an interior chamber having a geometric extent of a given volumetric capacity. An inlet port is provided to open in fluid communication with the interior chamber and to be couplable to the inlet line. An outlet tube is provided to extend from a proximal end couplable to the outlet line to a distal end disposed within the housing and opening in fluid communication with the interior chamber. Within the interior chamber, the first and second fluid are separated at an interface into a first and second fluid component according to the relative densities thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 1995Date of Patent: November 3, 1998Assignee: Instrumentarium Corp.Inventor: Frank E. Block, Jr.
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Patent number: 5394881Abstract: Liquid incursion into the gas analyzer or monitoring components of a gas analyzer of a variety employed in medical practice is prevented by a sequence of components performing under computer control. A liquid detector is positioned immediately downstream of the liquid separator/trap of the apparatus to detect any failure of that separating system. Should an incursion occur, the output of the detector will cause a safety valve to block further passage of materials into the monitoring components. The removable separator/trap components are monitored by interlock sensors. Upon appropriate signaling of such removal, a purging valve is actuated to employ atmospheric air made available by the removal of the separator/trap unit to purge the encroaching liquid from the forward components of the analyzer assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1993Date of Patent: March 7, 1995Assignee: Instrumentarium Corp.Inventor: Frank E. Block, Jr.
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Patent number: 4976685Abstract: Blood is stored under refrigeration at a temperature of about 4.degree. C. When it is utilized on a relatively rapid basis within a surgical theater it is transported by tubing through a blood warming apparatus which, while warming the blood, causes an outgasing of entrained air. This air is trapped in an air trap receptacle having a drip chamber within which a gas-blood interface is developed. To assure that the capacity of the trap is not exceeded, an improved technique of gas removal and interface level setting is provided wherein access is achieved essentially through the entrance region of the gas trap receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1988Date of Patent: December 11, 1990Inventor: Frank E. Block, Jr.