Patents by Inventor Geoffrey Facer
Geoffrey Facer 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: 7820427Abstract: A variety of elastomeric-based microfluidic devices and methods for using and manufacturing such devices are provided. Certain of the devices have arrays of reaction sites to facilitate high throughput analyses. Some devices also include reaction sites located at the end of blind channels at which reagents have been previously deposited during manufacture. The reagents become suspended once sample is introduced into the reaction site. The devices can be utilized with a variety of heating devices and thus can be used in a variety of analyses requiring temperature control, including thermocycling applications such as nucleic acid amplification reactions, genotyping and gene expression analyses.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2006Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Fluidigm CorporationInventors: Marc Unger, Ian D. Manger, Michael Lucero, Yong Yi, Emily Miyashita-Lin, Anja Wienecke, Geoffrey Facer
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Publication number: 20100184202Abstract: An M×N matrix microfluidic device for performing a matrix of reactions, the device having a plurality of reaction cells in communication with one of either a sample inlet or a reagent inlet through a via formed within an elastomeric block of the device. Methods provided include a method for forming vias in parallel in an elastomeric layer of an elastomeric block of a microfluidic device, the method comprising using patterned photoresist masks and etching reagents to etch away regions or portions of an elastomeric layer of the elastomeric block.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2009Publication date: July 22, 2010Applicant: Fluidigm CorporationInventors: Lincoln McBride, Geoffrey Facer, Marc Unger, Michael Lucero, Hany Ramez Nassef
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Patent number: 7749737Abstract: An M times.N matrix microfluidic device for performing a matrix of reactions, the device having a plurality of reaction cells in communication with one of either a sample inlet or a reagent inlet through a via formed within an elastomeric block of the device. Methods provided include a method for forming vias in parallel in an elastomeric layer of an elastomeric block of a microfluidic device, the method comprising using patterned photoresist masks and etching reagents to etch away regions or portions of an elastomeric layer of the elastomeric block.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Fluidigm CorporationInventors: Lincoln McBride, Geoffrey Facer, Marc Unger, Michael Lucero, Hany Ramez Nassef
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Patent number: 7704735Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting a reaction at a selected temperature or range of temperatures over time. An array device is provided. The array device contains separate reaction chambers and is formed as an elastomeric block from multiple layers. At least one layer has at least one recess that recess has at least one deflectable membrane integral to the layer with the recess. The array device has a thermal transfer device proximal to at least one of the reaction chambers. The thermal transfer device is formed to contact a thermal control source. Reagents for carrying out a desired reaction are introduced into the array device. The array device is contacted with a thermal control device such that the thermal control device is in thermal communication with the thermal control source so that a temperature of the reaction in at least one of the reaction chamber is changed as a result of a change in temperature of the thermal control source.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2007Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Fluidigm CorporationInventors: Geoffrey Facer, Robert Grossman, Marc Unger, Philip Lam, Hou-Pu Chou, Jake Kimball, Martin Pieprzyk, Antoine Daridon
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Patent number: 7691333Abstract: A variety of elastomeric-based microfluidic devices and methods for using and manufacturing such devices are provided. Certain of the devices have arrays of reaction sites to facilitate high throughput analyses. Some devices also include reaction sites located at the end of blind channels at which reagents have been previously deposited during manufacture. The reagents become suspended once sample is introduced into the reaction site. The devices can be utilized with a variety of heating devices and thus can be used in a variety of analyses requiring temperature control, including thermocycling applications such as nucleic acid amplification reactions, genotyping and gene expression analyses.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2004Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Fluidigm CorporationInventors: Lincoln McBride, Michael Lucero, Marc Unger, Hany Ramez Nassef, Geoffrey Facer, Yong Yi
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Publication number: 20090291435Abstract: Devices and methods for performing the relative concentration of a target in a sample, the sample containing both target and non-target components, the method performed by partitioning the sample into a large number of reaction volumes such that the target is concentrated relative to the non-target, and performing a detection assay upon each reaction volume to detect the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2006Publication date: November 26, 2009Inventors: Marc A. Unger, Lincoln McBride, Geoffrey Facer
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Patent number: 7604965Abstract: An M×N matrix microfluidic device for performing a matrix of reactions, the device having a plurality of reaction cells in communication with one of either a sample inlet or a reagent inlet through a via formed within an elastomeric block of the device. Methods provided include a method for forming vias in parallel in an elastomeric layer of an elastomeric block of a microfluidic device, the method comprising using patterned photoresist masks and etching reagents to etch away regions or portions of an elastomeric layer of the elastomeric block.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2005Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: Fluidigm CorporationInventors: Lincoln McBride, Geoffrey Facer, Marc Unger, Michael Lucero, Hany Ramez Nassef
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Publication number: 20090257920Abstract: Multilevel microfluidic devices include a control line that can simultaneously actuate valves for both sample and reagent lines. Microfluidic devices are configured to contain a first reagent in a first chamber and a second reagent in a second chamber, where either or both of the first and second reagents are contained at a desired or selected pressure. Operation of a microfluidic device includes transmitting second reagent from the second chamber to the first chamber, for mixing or contact with the first reagent. Microfluidic device features such as channels, valves, chambers, can be at least partially contained, embedded, or formed by or within one or more layers or levels of an elastomeric block.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2009Publication date: October 15, 2009Applicant: Fluidigm CorporationInventors: Geoffrey Facer, Brian Fowler, Emerson Cheung Quan, Marc Unger
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Publication number: 20090176230Abstract: A variety of elastomeric-based microfluidic devices and methods for using and manufacturing such devices are provided. Certain of the devices have arrays of reaction sites to facilitate high throughput analyses. Some devices also include reaction sites located at the end of blind channels at which reagents have been previously deposited during manufacture. The reagents become suspended once sample is introduced into the reaction site. The devices can be utilized with a variety of heating devices and thus can be used in a variety of analyses requiring temperature control, including thermocycling applications such as nucleic acid amplification reactions, genotyping and gene expression analyses.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2008Publication date: July 9, 2009Applicant: Fluidigm CorporationInventors: Lincoln McBride, Michael Lucero, Marc Unger, Hany Ramez Nassef, Geoffrey Facer
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Publication number: 20090061428Abstract: An M times.N matrix microfluidic device for performing a matrix of reactions, the device having a plurality of reaction cells in communication with one of either a sample inlet or a reagent inlet through a via formed within an elastomeric block of the device. Methods provided include a method for forming vias in parallel in an elastomeric layer of an elastomeric block of a microfluidic device, the method comprising using patterned photoresist masks and etching reagents to etch away regions or portions of an elastomeric layer of the elastomeric block.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2007Publication date: March 5, 2009Applicant: Fluidigm CorporationInventors: Lincoln McBride, Geoffrey Facer, Marc Unger
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Publication number: 20080230387Abstract: A variety of elastomeric-based microfluidic devices and methods for using and manufacturing such devices are provided. Certain of the devices have arrays of reaction sites to facilitate high throughput analyses. Some devices also include reaction sites located at the end of blind channels at which reagents have been previously deposited during manufacture. The reagents become suspended once sample is introduced into the reaction site. The devices can be utilized with a variety of heating devices and thus can be used in a variety of analyses requiring temperature control, including thermocycling applications such as nucleic acid amplification reactions, genotyping and gene expression analyses.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2007Publication date: September 25, 2008Applicant: Fluidigm CorporationInventors: Lincoln McBride, Marc Unger, Michael Lucero, Hany Ramez Nassef, Geoffrey Facer
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Publication number: 20080088952Abstract: An apparatus for imaging one or more selected fluorescence indications from a microfluidic device. The apparatus includes an imaging path coupled to least one chamber in at least one microfluidic device. The imaging path provides for transmission of one or more fluorescent emission signals derived from one or more samples in the at least one chamber of the at least one microfluidic device. The chamber has a chamber size, the chamber size being characterized by an actual spatial dimension normal to the imaging path. The apparatus also includes an optical lens system coupled to the imaging path. The optical lens system is adapted to transmit the one or more fluorescent signals associated with the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2007Publication date: April 17, 2008Applicant: Fluidigm CorporationInventors: Marc Unger, Geoffrey Facer, Barry Clerkson, Christopher Cesar, Neil Switz
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Patent number: 7279146Abstract: High throughput screening of crystallization of a target material is accomplished by simultaneously introducing a solution of the target material into a plurality of chambers of a microfabricated fluidic device. The microfabricated fluidic device is then manipulated to vary the solution condition in the chambers, thereby simultaneously providing a large number of crystallization environments. Control over changed solution conditions may result from a variety of techniques, including but not limited to metering volumes of crystallizing agent into the chamber by volume exclusion, by entrapment of volumes of crystallizing agent determined by the dimensions of the microfabricated structure, or by cross-channel injection of sample and crystallizing agent into an array of junctions defined by intersecting orthogonal flow channels.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2004Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: Fluidigm CorporationInventors: Hany Ramez Nassef, Geoffrey Facer, Joseph W. Barco
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Publication number: 20070196912Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting a reaction at a selected temperature or range of temperatures over time. An array device is provided. The array device contains separate reaction chambers and is formed as an elastomeric block from multiple layers. At least one layer has at least one recess that recess has at least one deflectable membrane integral to the layer with the recess. The array device has a thermal transfer device proximal to at least one of the reaction chambers. The thermal transfer device is formed to contact a thermal control source. Reagents for carrying out a desired reaction are introduced into the array device. The array device is contacted with a thermal control device such that the thermal control device is in thermal communication with the thermal control source so that a temperature of the reaction in at least one of the reaction chamber is changed as a result of a change in temperature of the thermal control source.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2007Publication date: August 23, 2007Applicant: Fluidigm CorporationInventors: Geoffrey Facer, Robert Grossman, Marc Unger, Philip Lam, Hou-Pu Chou, Jake Kimball, Martin Pieprzyk, Antoine Daridon
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Publication number: 20070004033Abstract: A variety of elastomeric-based microfluidic devices and methods for using and manufacturing such devices are provided. Certain of the devices have arrays of reaction sites to facilitate high throughput analyses. Some devices also include reaction sites located at the end of blind channels at which reagents have been previously deposited during manufacture. The reagents become suspended once sample is introduced into the reaction site. The devices can be utilized with a variety of heating devices and thus can be used in a variety of analyses requiring temperature control, including thermocycling applications such as nucleic acid amplification reactions, genotyping and gene expression analyses.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2006Publication date: January 4, 2007Applicant: Fluidigm CorporationInventors: Marc Unger, Ian Manger, Michael Lucero, Yong Yi, Emily Miyashita-Lin, Anja Wienecke, Geoffrey Facer
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Publication number: 20070004031Abstract: A variety of elastomeric-based microfluidic devices and methods for using and manufacturing such devices are provided. Certain of the devices have arrays of reaction sites to facilitate high throughput analyses. Some devices also include reaction sites located at the end of blind channels at which reagents have been previously deposited during manufacture. The reagents become suspended once sample is introduced into the reaction site. The devices can be utilized with a variety of heating devices and thus can be used in a variety of analyses requiring temperature control, including thermocycling applications such as nucleic acid amplification reactions, genotyping and gene expression analyses.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2006Publication date: January 4, 2007Applicant: Fluidigm CorporationInventors: Marc Unger, Ian Manger, Michael Lucero, Yong Yi, Emily Miyashita-Lin, Anja Wienecke, Geoffrey Facer
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Patent number: 7118910Abstract: A variety of elastomeric-based microfluidic devices and methods for using and manufacturing such devices are provided. Certain of the devices have arrays of reaction sites to facilitate high throughput analyses. Some devices also include reaction sites located at the end of blind channels at which reagents have been previously deposited during manufacture. The reagents become suspended once sample is introduced into the reaction site. The devices can be utilized with a variety of heating devices and thus can be used in a variety of analyses requiring temperature control, including thermocycling applications such as nucleic acid amplification reactions, genotyping and gene expression analyses.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2002Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: Fluidigm CorporationInventors: Marc Unger, Ian D. Manger, Michael Lucero, Yong Yi, Emily Miyashita-Lin, Anja Weinecke, Geoffrey Facer
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Publication number: 20050252773Abstract: An M×N matrix microfluidic device for performing a matrix of reactions, the device having a plurality of reaction cells in communication with one of either a sample inlet or a reagent inlet through a via formed within an elastomeric block of the device. Methods provided include a method for forming vias in parallel in an elastomeric layer of an elastomeric block of a microfluidic device, the method comprising using patterned photoresist masks and etching reagents to etch away regions or portions of an elastomeric layer of the elastomeric block.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2005Publication date: November 17, 2005Applicant: Fluidigm CorporationInventors: Lincoln McBride, Geoffrey Facer, Marc Unger
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Publication number: 20050214173Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for conducting a reaction at a selected temperature or range of temperatures over time. An array device is provided. The array device contains separate reaction chambers and is formed as an elastomeric block from multiple layers. At least one layer has at least one recess that recess has at least one deflectable membrane integral to the layer with the recess. The array device has a thermal transfer device proximal to at least one of the reaction chambers. The thermal transfer device is formed to contact a thermal control source. Reagents for carrying out a desired reaction are introduced into the array device. The array device is contacted with a thermal control device such that the thermal control device is in thermal communication with the thermal control source so that a temperature of the reaction in at least one of the reaction chamber is changed as a result of a change in temperature of the thermal control source.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2005Publication date: September 29, 2005Applicant: Fluidigm CorporationInventors: Geoffrey Facer, Robert Grossman, Marc Unger, Phillip Lam, Hou-Pu Chou, Jake Kimball, Martin Pieprzyk, Antoine Daridon
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Publication number: 20050129581Abstract: A variety of elastomeric-based microfluidic devices and methods for using and manufacturing such devices are provided. Certain of the devices have arrays of reaction sites to facilitate high throughput analyses. Some devices also include reaction sites located at the end of blind channels at which reagents have been previously deposited during manufacture. The reagents become suspended once sample is introduced into the reaction site. The devices can be utilized with a variety of heating devices and thus can be used in a variety of analyses requiring temperature control, including thermocycling applications such as nucleic acid amplification reactions, genotyping and gene expression analyses.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2004Publication date: June 16, 2005Applicant: Fluidigm CorporationInventors: Lincoln McBride, Marc Unger, Michael Lucero, Hany Nassef, Geoffrey Facer