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).
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Patent number: 11952592Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 23, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 11940441Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 11, 2020Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Donald E. Ingber, Kambez Hajipouran Benam, Remi Villenave, Geraldine A. Hamilton, Bryan Hassell, Christopher D. Hinojosa, Carolina Lucchesi
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Publication number: 20240084235Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: 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
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Publication number: 20240024873Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Inventors: S. Jordan Kerns, Riccardo Barrile, Geraldine Hamilton, Catherine Karalis, Daniel Levner, Carolina Lucchesi, Antonio Varone, Remi Villenave
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Patent number: 11859165Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 17, 2023Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 11833512Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 29, 2021Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: EMULATE, INC.Inventors: S. Jordan Kerns, Riccardo Barrile, Geraldine Hamilton, Catherine Karalis, Daniel Levner, Carolina Lucchesi, Antonio Varone, Remi Villenave
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Publication number: 20230348831Abstract: The invention provides integrated Organ-on-Chip microphysiological systems representations of living Organs and support structures for such microphysiological systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2023Publication date: November 2, 2023Inventors: Donald E. Ingber, Anthony M. Bahinski, Robert Cunningham, Josue A. Goss, Geraldine A. Hamilton, Christopher David Hinojosa, Daniel Levner, Kevin Kit Parker
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Patent number: 11773359Abstract: The invention provides integrated Organ-on-Chip microphysiological systems representations of living Organs and support structures for such microphysiological systems.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2021Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGEInventors: Donald E. Ingber, Anthony Bahinski, Robert Cunningham, Josue A. Goss, Geraldine A. Hamilton, Christopher David Hinojosa, Daniel Levner, Kevin Kit Parker
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Publication number: 20230287355Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2022Publication date: September 14, 2023Inventors: Remi Villenave, Carolina Lucchesi, Justin Nguyen, Catherine Karalis, Geraldine Hamilton, Buket Baddal, Michael Salmon
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Publication number: 20230287324Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2023Publication date: September 14, 2023Inventors: Daniel Levner, Christopher David Hinojosa, Norman Wen, Antonio Varone, Justin Nguyen, Lina Williamson, S. Jordan Kerns, Catherine Karalis, Geraldine Hamilton, Carol Lucchesi
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Patent number: 11725190Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 27, 2019Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: EMULATE, INC.Inventors: Kyung-Jin Jang, Hyoungshin Park, Sauveur Jeanty, Janey Ronxhi, Sushma Jadalannagari, Geraldine A Hamilton, Catherine Karalis
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Publication number: 20230159899Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2022Publication date: May 25, 2023Inventors: Geraldine Hamilton, Kyung Jin Jang, Suzzette Haney, Janey Ronxhi, Konstantia Kodella, Hyoungshin Park, Josiah Sliz, Debora Barreiros Petropolis, Daniel Levner, Monicah Otieno
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Patent number: 11542476Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 22, 2019Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: EMULATE, INC.Inventors: Remi Villenave, Carolina Lucchesi, Justin Nguyen, Catherine Karalis, Geraldine Hamilton, Buket Baddal, Michael Salmon
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Patent number: 11534753Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic fluidic devices, methods and systems as microfluidic kidney on-chips, e.g. human Proximal Tubule-Chip.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2019Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20220340849Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2022Publication date: October 27, 2022Inventors: Iosif Pediaditakis, William R. Tien-Street, S. Jordan Kerns, Geraldine Hamilton, Daniel Levner
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Publication number: 20220282194Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2022Publication date: September 8, 2022Inventors: Geraldine A. Hamilton, Norman Wen, Catherine Karalis, Antonio Varone, Daniel Levner, Riccardo Barrile
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Publication number: 20220282221Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2022Publication date: September 8, 2022Inventors: 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
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Patent number: 11371000Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 30, 2017Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: EMULATE, INC.Inventors: Geraldine A Hamilton, Norman Wen, Catherine Karalis, Antonio Varone, Daniel Levner, Riccardo Barrile
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Patent number: 11326149Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 31, 2018Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 11248203Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 28, 2021Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: EMULATE, INCInventors: Daniel Levner, Christopher David Hinojosa, Norman Wen, Antonio Varone, Justin Nguyen, Lina Williamson, S. Jordan Kerns, Catherine Karalis, Geraldine Hamilton, Carol Lucchesi