Patents by Inventor Geraldine A. Hamilton

Geraldine A. Hamilton 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).

  • Patent number: 11952592
    Abstract: Organs-on-chips are microfluidic devices for culturing living cells in micrometer sized chambers in order to model physiological functions of tissues and organs. Engineered patterning and continuous fluid flow in these devices has allowed culturing of intestinal cells bearing physiologically relevant features and sustained exposure to bacteria while maintaining cellular viability, thereby allowing study of inflammatory bowl diseases. However, existing intestinal cells do not possess all physiologically relevant subtypes, do not possess the repertoire of genetic variations, or allow for study of other important cellular actors such as immune cells. Use of iPSC-derived epithelium, including IBD patient-specific cells, allows for superior disease modeling by capturing the multi-faceted nature of the disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: EMULATE, INC.
    Inventors: S. Jordan Kerns, Norman Wen, Carol Lucchesi, Christopher David Hinojosa, Jacob Fraser, Jefferson Puerta, Geraldine Hamilton, Robert Barrett, Clive Svendsen, Daniel Levner, Stephen R Targan, Michael Workman, Dhruv Sareen, Uthra Rajamani, Magdalena Kasendra
  • Patent number: 11940441
    Abstract: Provided herein relates to systems and methods for producing and using a body having a central channel separated by one or more membranes. The membrane(s) are configured to divide the central channel into at least one mesochannel and at least one microchannel. The height of the mesochannel is substantially greater than the height of the microchannel. A gaseous fluid can be applied through the mesochannel while a liquid fluid flowing through the microchannel. The systems and methods described herein can be used for various applications, including, e.g., growth and differentiation of primary cells such as human lung cells, as well as any other cells requiring low shear and/also stratified structures, or simulation of a microenvironment in living tissues and/or organs (to model physiology or disease states, and/or to identify therapeutic agents and/or vaccines). The systems and methods can also permit co-culture with one or more different cell types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Donald E. Ingber, Kambez Hajipouran Benam, Remi Villenave, Geraldine A. Hamilton, Bryan Hassell, Christopher D. Hinojosa, Carolina Lucchesi
  • Publication number: 20240084235
    Abstract: An organomimetic device includes a microfluidic device that can be used to culture cells in its microfluidic channels. The organomimetic device can be part of dynamic system that can apply mechanical forces to the cells by modulating the microfluidic device and the flow of fluid through the microfluidic channels. The membrane in the organomimetic device can be modulated mechanically via pneumatic means and/or mechanical means. The organomimetic device can be manufactured by the fabrication of individual components separately, for example, as individual layers that can be subsequently laminated together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Jose Fernandez-Alcon, Norman Wen, Richard Novak, Donald E. Ingber, Geraldine A. Hamilton, Christopher Hinojosa, Karel Domansky, Daniel Levner, Guy Thompson, II, Kambez Hajipouran Benam, Remi Villenave, Thomas Umundum, Alfred Paris, Georg Bauer
  • Publication number: 20240024873
    Abstract: An in vitro microfluidic “organ-on-chip” is described herein that mimics the structure and at least one function of specific areas of the epithelial system in vivo. In particular, a multicellular, layered, microfluidic culture is described, allowing for interactions between lamina propria-derived cells and the associated tissue specific epithelial cells and endothelial cells. This in vitro microfluidic system can be used for modeling inflammatory tissue, e.g., autoimmune disorders involving epithelia and diseases involving epithelial layers. These multicellular, layered microfluidic “organ-on-chip”, e.g. “epithelia-on-chip” further allow for comparisons between types of epithelia tissues, e.g., lung (Lung-On-Chip), bronchial (Airway-On-Chip), skin (Skin-On-Chip), cervix (Cervix-On-Chip), blood brain barrier (BBB-On-Chip), etc., in additional to neurovascular tissue, (Brain-On-Chip), and between different disease states of tissue, i.e. healthy, pre-disease and diseased areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: S. Jordan Kerns, Riccardo Barrile, Geraldine Hamilton, Catherine Karalis, Daniel Levner, Carolina Lucchesi, Antonio Varone, Remi Villenave
  • Patent number: 11859165
    Abstract: A microfluidic device is contemplated comprising an open-top cavity with structural anchors on the vertical wall surfaces that serve to prevent gel shrinkage-induced delamination, a porous membrane (optionally stretchable) positioned in the middle over a microfluidic channel(s). The device is particularly suited to the growth of cells mimicking dermal layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: EMULATE, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Levner, Christopher David Hinojosa, Norman Wen, Antonio Varone, Justin Nguyen, Lina Williamson, S. Jordan Kerns, Catherine Karalis, Geraldine Hamilton, Carol Lucchesi
  • Patent number: 11833512
    Abstract: An in vitro microfluidic “organ-on-chip” is described herein that mimics the structure and at least one function of specific areas of the epithelial system in vivo. In particular, a multicellular, layered, microfluidic culture is described, allowing for interactions between lamina propria-derived cells and the associated tissue specific epithelial cells and endothelial cells. This in vitro microfluidic system can be used for modeling inflammatory tissue, e.g., autoimmune disorders involving epithelia and diseases involving epithelial layers. These multicellular, layered microfluidic “organ-on-chip”, e.g. “epithelia-on-chip” further allow for comparisons between types of epithelia tissues, e.g., lung (Lung-On-Chip), bronchial (Airway-On-Chip), skin (Skin-On-Chip), cervix (Cervix-On-Chip), blood brain barrier (BBB-On-Chip), etc., in additional to neurovascular tissue, (Brain-On-Chip), and between different disease states of tissue, i.e. healthy, pre-disease and diseased areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: EMULATE, INC.
    Inventors: S. Jordan Kerns, Riccardo Barrile, Geraldine Hamilton, Catherine Karalis, Daniel Levner, Carolina Lucchesi, Antonio Varone, Remi Villenave
  • Publication number: 20230348831
    Abstract: The invention provides integrated Organ-on-Chip microphysiological systems representations of living Organs and support structures for such microphysiological systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Donald E. Ingber, Anthony M. Bahinski, Robert Cunningham, Josue A. Goss, Geraldine A. Hamilton, Christopher David Hinojosa, Daniel Levner, Kevin Kit Parker
  • Patent number: 11773359
    Abstract: The invention provides integrated Organ-on-Chip microphysiological systems representations of living Organs and support structures for such microphysiological systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE
    Inventors: Donald E. Ingber, Anthony Bahinski, Robert Cunningham, Josue A. Goss, Geraldine A. Hamilton, Christopher David Hinojosa, Daniel Levner, Kevin Kit Parker
  • Publication number: 20230287355
    Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic fluidic systems and methods for the in vitro modeling diseases of the lung and small airway. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a system for testing responses of a microfluidic Small Airway-on-Chip infected with one or more infectious agents (e.g. respiratory viruses) as a model of respiratory disease exacerbation (e.g. asthma exacerbation). In one embodiment, this disease model on a microfluidic chip allows for a) the testing of anti-inflammatory and/or anti-viral compounds introduced into the system, as well as b) the monitoring of the participation, recruitment and/or movement of immune cells, including the transmigration of cells. In particular, this system provides, in one embodiment, an in-vitro platform for modeling severe asthma as “Severe Asthma-on-Chip.” In some embodiments, this invention provides a model of viral-induced asthma in humans for use in identifying potentially effective treatments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Remi Villenave, Carolina Lucchesi, Justin Nguyen, Catherine Karalis, Geraldine Hamilton, Buket Baddal, Michael Salmon
  • Publication number: 20230287324
    Abstract: A microfluidic device is contemplated comprising an open-top cavity with structural anchors on the vertical wall surfaces that serve to prevent gel shrinkage-induced delamination, a porous membrane (optionally stretchable) positioned in the middle over a microfluidic channel(s). The device is particularly suited to the growth of cells mimicking dermal layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Daniel Levner, Christopher David Hinojosa, Norman Wen, Antonio Varone, Justin Nguyen, Lina Williamson, S. Jordan Kerns, Catherine Karalis, Geraldine Hamilton, Carol Lucchesi
  • Patent number: 11725190
    Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic fluidic devices, methods and systems as microfluidic kidney on-chips, e.g. human Proximal Tubule-Kidney-Chip, Glomerulus (Kidney)-Chip, Collecting Duct (Kidney)-Chip. Devices, methods and systems are described for drug testing including drug transport and renal clearance. Further, such devices, methods and systems are used for determining drug-drug interactions and their effect upon renal transporter functions. Importantly, they may be used for pre-clinical and clinical drug development for treating kidney diseases and for personalized medicine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: EMULATE, INC.
    Inventors: Kyung-Jin Jang, Hyoungshin Park, Sauveur Jeanty, Janey Ronxhi, Sushma Jadalannagari, Geraldine A Hamilton, Catherine Karalis
  • Publication number: 20230159899
    Abstract: Provided herein relates to devices for simulating a function of a tissue and methods of using the same. In some embodiments, the devices can be used to simulate a function of a human liver tissue. In some embodiments, the devices can be used to simulate a function of a dog liver tissue. Endothelial cell culture media for long-term culture of endothelial cells are also described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2022
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Geraldine Hamilton, Kyung Jin Jang, Suzzette Haney, Janey Ronxhi, Konstantia Kodella, Hyoungshin Park, Josiah Sliz, Debora Barreiros Petropolis, Daniel Levner, Monicah Otieno
  • Patent number: 11542476
    Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic fluidic systems and methods for the in vitro modeling diseases of the lung and small airway. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a system for testing responses of a microfluidic Small Airway-on-Chip infected with one or more infectious agents (e.g. respiratory viruses) as a model of respiratory disease exacerbation (e.g. asthma exacerbation). In one embodiment, this disease model on a microfluidic chip allows for a) the testing of anti-inflammatory and/or anti-viral compounds introduced into the system, as well as b) the monitoring of the participation, recruitment and/or movement of immune cells, including the transmigration of cells. In particular, this system provides, in one embodiment, an in-vitro platform for modeling severe asthma as “Severe Asthma-on-Chip.” In some embodiments, this invention provides a model of viral-induced asthma in humans for use in identifying potentially effective treatments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: EMULATE, INC.
    Inventors: Remi Villenave, Carolina Lucchesi, Justin Nguyen, Catherine Karalis, Geraldine Hamilton, Buket Baddal, Michael Salmon
  • Patent number: 11534753
    Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic fluidic devices, methods and systems as microfluidic kidney on-chips, e.g. human Proximal Tubule-Chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: EMULATE, INC.
    Inventors: Ville Kujala, Hyoungshin Park, Sonalee Barthakur, Sauveur Jeanty, Brian Zuckerman, Josiah Sliz, Tanvi Shroff, Geraldine A Hamilton, Kyung-Jin Jang, Ananth Nookala, Gang Luo, Donald Mckenzie
  • Publication number: 20220340849
    Abstract: The invention relates to modeling brain neuronal disease in a microfluidic device, comprising a co-culture of iPS-derived brain endothelial cells; iPS-derived dopaminergic neurons; primary microglia; and primary astrocytes, a Blood-Brain-Barrier (BBB)-Chip and a Brain-Chip. In particular, cross-talk between glial cells (e.g. microglia and astrocytes) with neuronal cells, in further contact with endothelial cells is contemplated for use for identifying drug targets under conditions for inducing in vivo relevant neuronal inflammation, neurodegeneration and neuronal death. Thus, in one embodiment, a microfluidic Brain-Chip comprising a co-culture of brain cells is exposed to ?-synuclein preformed fibrils (PFF), a type of pathogenic form of ?-synuclein. Such ?-synuclein PFF exposure demonstrates an in vivo relevant disease pathogenesis on a microfluidic device as a concentration- and time-controlled manner that may be used for preclinical drug evaluation for diseases related to neuronal inflammation, e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Iosif Pediaditakis, William R. Tien-Street, S. Jordan Kerns, Geraldine Hamilton, Daniel Levner
  • Publication number: 20220282194
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to a microfluidic platforms or “chips” for testing and understanding cancer, and, more specifically, for understanding the factors that contribute to cancer invading tissues and causing metastases. Tumor cells are grown on microfluidic devices with other non-cancerous tissues under conditions that simulate tumor invasion. The interaction with immune cells can be tested to inhibit this activity by linking a cancer chip to a lymph chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Geraldine A. Hamilton, Norman Wen, Catherine Karalis, Antonio Varone, Daniel Levner, Riccardo Barrile
  • Publication number: 20220282221
    Abstract: Organs-on-chips are microfluidic devices for culturing living cells in micrometer sized chambers in order to model physiological functions of tissues and organs. Engineered patterning and continuous fluid flow in these devices has allowed culturing of intestinal cells bearing physiologically relevant features and sustained exposure to bacteria while maintaining cellular viability, thereby allowing study of inflammatory bowl diseases. However, existing intestinal cells do not possess all physiologically relevant subtypes, do not possess the repertoire of genetic variations, or allow for study of other important cellular actors such as immune cells. Use of iPSC-derived epithelium, including IBD patient-specific cells, allows for superior disease modeling by capturing the multi-faceted nature of the disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: S. Jordan Kerns, Norman Wen, Carol Lucchesi, Christopher David Hinojosa, Jacob Fraser, Jefferson Puerta, Geraldine Hamilton, Robert Barrett, Clive Svendsen, Daniel Levner, Stephen R. Targan, Michael Workman, Dhruv Sareen, Uthra Rajamani, Magdalena Kasendra
  • Patent number: 11371000
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to a microfluidic platforms or “chips” for testing and understanding cancer, and, more specifically, for understanding the factors that contribute to cancer invading tissues and causing metastases. Tumor cells are grown on microfluidic devices with other non-cancerous tissues under conditions that simulate tumor invasion. The interaction with immune cells can be tested to inhibit this activity by linking a cancer chip to a lymph chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: EMULATE, INC.
    Inventors: Geraldine A Hamilton, Norman Wen, Catherine Karalis, Antonio Varone, Daniel Levner, Riccardo Barrile
  • Patent number: 11326149
    Abstract: Organs-on-chips are microfluidic devices for culturing living cells in micrometer sized chambers in order to model physiological functions of tissues and organs. Engineered patterning and continuous fluid flow in these devices has allowed culturing of intestinal cells bearing physiologically relevant features and sustained exposure to bacteria while maintaining cellular viability, thereby allowing study of inflammatory bowl diseases. However, existing intestinal cells do not possess all physiologically relevant subtypes, do not possess the repertoire of genetic variations, or allow for study of other important cellular actors such as immune cells. Use of iPSC-derived epithelium, including IBD patient-specific cells, allows for superior disease modeling by capturing the multi-faceted nature of the disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: EMULATE, INC.
    Inventors: S. Jordan Kerns, Norman Wen, Carol Lucchesi, Christopher David Hinojosa, Jacob Fraser, Jefferson Puerta, Geraldine Hamilton, Robert Barrett, Clive Svendsen, Daniel Levner, Stephen R Targan, Michael Workman, Dhruv Sareen, Uthra Rajamani, Magdalena Kasendra
  • Patent number: 11248203
    Abstract: A microfluidic device is contemplated comprising an open-top cavity with structural anchors on the vertical wall surfaces that serve to prevent gel shrinkage-induced delamination, a porous membrane (optionally stretchable) positioned in the middle over a microfluidic channel(s). The device is particularly suited to the growth of cells mimicking dermal layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: EMULATE, INC
    Inventors: Daniel Levner, Christopher David Hinojosa, Norman Wen, Antonio Varone, Justin Nguyen, Lina Williamson, S. Jordan Kerns, Catherine Karalis, Geraldine Hamilton, Carol Lucchesi