Patents by Inventor Frank E. Block, III
Frank E. Block, III 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