Patents by Inventor Giacomo Vacca

Giacomo Vacca 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: 11965815
    Abstract: A particle analyzer, comprising a source of a substantially nondiffracting light beam; a flow path configured to produce in a flowcell a ribbon-like core stream having a specific cross-sectional aspect ratio; the flowcell being configured to expose a segment of the core stream to the light beam; a detector configured to receive a signal resulting from an interaction of a particle in the core stream with the light beam; a first sorting actuator connected with the flowcell, downstream of the exposed segment of core stream; a plurality of sorting channels in fluid connection with the flow path and downstream of the first actuator; the actuator having multiple actuation states, each state configured to direct at least one part of the core stream to a corresponding channel; a second sorting actuator connected with the flowcell, opposite the first actuator, and operable in coordination with the first actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Kinetic River Corp.
    Inventor: Giacomo Vacca
  • Patent number: 11965812
    Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses and methods for analyzing an optical signal decay. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes: a source of a beam of pulsed optical energy; a sample holder configured to expose a sample to the beam; a detector comprising a number of spectral detection channels configured to convert the optical signals into respective electrical signals; and a signal processing module configured to perform a method. In some embodiments, the method includes: receiving the electrical signals from the detector; mathematically combining individual decay curves in the electrical signals into a supercurve, the supercurve comprising a number of components, each component having a time constant and a relative contribution to the supercurve; and quantifying a relative contribution of each component to the supercurve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Kinetic River Corp.
    Inventors: Giacomo Vacca, Ralph Jimenez
  • Publication number: 20240102914
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to an external monitoring device for a flow cytometer. The external monitoring device comprises: a housing configured to reversibly attach to a portion of the flow cytometer such that an optical system within the housing is aligned with a monitoring region within a flowcell of the flow cytometer. The optical system is configured to continuously capture and monitor at least a portion of the optical energy emanating from the monitoring region of the flowcell. The optical system comprises at least one sensor configured to: detect the optical energy captured by the optical system, and generate, based on the detected optical energy, an image of the monitoring region. The external monitoring device may further comprise a processor configured to continuously provide the image to an electronic device, for example a display or a computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Giacomo Vacca, Rick Yarussi, Elijah Sassoon Kashi
  • Publication number: 20230349808
    Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses and methods for analyzing an optical signal decay. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes: a source of a beam of pulsed optical energy; a sample holder configured to expose a sample to the beam; a detector comprising a number of spectral detection channels configured to convert the optical signals into respective electrical signals; and a signal processing module configured to perform a method. In some embodiments, the method includes: receiving the electrical signals from the detector; mathematically combining individual decay curves in the electrical signals into a supercurve, the supercurve comprising a number of components, each component having a time constant and a relative contribution to the supercurve; and quantifying a relative contribution of each component to the supercurve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Giacomo Vacca, Ralph Jimenez
  • Patent number: 11740174
    Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses and methods for analyzing an optical signal decay. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes: a source of a beam of pulsed optical energy; a sample holder configured to expose a sample to the beam; a detector comprising a number of spectral detection channels configured to convert the optical signals into respective electrical signals; and a signal processing module configured to perform a method. In some embodiments, the method includes: receiving the electrical signals from the detector; mathematically combining individual decay curves in the electrical signals into a supercurve, the supercurve comprising a number of components, each component having a time constant and a relative contribution to the supercurve; and quantifying a relative contribution of each component to the supercurve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: KINETIC RIVER CORP.
    Inventors: Giacomo Vacca, Ralph Jimenez
  • Publication number: 20230266227
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to configurable particle analyzer apparatuses and methods. In some embodiments, a modular particle analyzer includes a stray light blocking module including a focusing lens, a pinhole, and a collimating lens. The focusing lens is configured to focus light emitted from the flowcell through the pinhole. The pinhole is configured to block stray or scattered light emitted from the flowcell. The collimating lens is configured to substantially collimate the light exiting the pinhole to output a substantially collimated light beam. A modular particle analyzer may alternatively, or additionally, include a rod-and-cage architecture. A particle analyzer may alternatively, or additionally, include a sheath pressure control module and a sample pressure control module. Further, a particle analyzer may alternatively, or additionally, include a sample probe wash. Any of the embodiments described herein may be combined with any one or more of the other embodiments described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Giacomo Vacca, Elijah Sassoon Kashi, Alan Hap Chin
  • Publication number: 20230194409
    Abstract: A particle analyzer, comprising a source of a substantially nondiffracting light beam; a flow path configured to produce in a flowcell a ribbon-like core stream having a specific cross-sectional aspect ratio; the flowcell being configured to expose a segment of the core stream to the light beam; a detector configured to receive a signal resulting from an interaction of a particle in the core stream with the light beam; a first sorting actuator connected with the flow-cell, downstream of the exposed segment of core stream; a plurality of sorting channels in fluid connection with the flow path and downstream of the first actuator; the actuator having multiple actuation states, each state configured to direct at least one part of the core stream to a corresponding channel; a second sorting actuator connected with the flowcell, opposite the first actuator, and operable in coordination with the first actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventor: Giacomo Vacca
  • Patent number: 11635384
    Abstract: An apparatus to provide a label-free or native particle analysis comprises a light generating system producing first light pulses at a first wavelength and second light pulses at a second wavelength; and a flow cell coupled to the light generating system to convey particles for analysis. The light generating system is configured to chirp at least one of the first light pulses and the second light pulses to analyze the particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: KINETIC RIVER CORP.
    Inventor: Giacomo Vacca
  • Patent number: 11573165
    Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses for analyzing an optical signal decay. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes: a source of a beam of pulsed optical energy; a sample holder configured to expose a sample to the beam; a detector comprising a number of spectral detection channels configured to convert the optical signals into respective electrical signals; and a signal processing module configured to perform a method. In some embodiments, the method includes: receiving the electrical signals from the detector; mathematically combining individual decay curves in the electrical signals into a decay supercurve, the supercurve comprising a number of components, each component having a time constant and a relative contribution to the supercurve; and numerically fitting a model to the supercurve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: KINETIC RIVER CORP.
    Inventors: Giacomo Vacca, Ralph Jimenez
  • Patent number: 11573167
    Abstract: A particle analyzer, comprising a source of a substantially nondiffracting light beam; a flow path configured to produce in a flowcell a ribbon-like core stream having a specific cross-sectional aspect ratio; the flowcell being configured to expose a segment of the core stream to the light beam; a detector configured to receive a signal resulting from an interaction of a particle in the core stream with the light beam; a first sorting actuator connected with the flowcell, downstream of the exposed segment of core stream; a plurality of sorting channels in fluid connection with the flow path and downstream of the first actuator; the actuator having multiple actuation states, each state configured to direct at least one part of the core stream to a corresponding channel; a second sorting actuator connected with the flowcell, opposite the first actuator, and operable in coordination with the first actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Kinetic River Corp.
    Inventor: Giacomo Vacca
  • Patent number: 11543339
    Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses for analyzing an optical signal decay. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes: a source of a beam of pulsed optical energy; a sample holder configured to expose a sample to the beam; a detector comprising a number of spectral detection channels configured to convert the optical signals into respective electrical signals; and a signal processing module configured to perform a method. In some embodiments, the method includes: receiving the electrical signals from the detector; mathematically combining individual decay curves in the electrical signals into a decay supercurve, the supercurve comprising a number of components, each component having a time constant and a relative contribution to the supercurve; and numerically fitting a model to the supercurve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: KINETIC RIVER CORP.
    Inventors: Giacomo Vacca, Ralph Jimenez
  • Patent number: 11536641
    Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses for analyzing an optical signal decay. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes: a source of a beam of pulsed optical energy; a sample holder configured to expose a sample to the beam; a detector comprising a number of spectral detection channels configured to convert the optical signals into respective electrical signals; and a signal processing module configured to perform a method. In some embodiments, the method includes: receiving the electrical signals from the detector; mathematically combining individual decay curves in the electrical signals into a decay supercurve, the supercurve comprising a number of components, each component having a time constant and a relative contribution to the supercurve; and numerically fitting a model to the supercurve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: KINETIC RIVER CORP.
    Inventors: Giacomo Vacca, Ralph Jimenez
  • Patent number: 11536642
    Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses for analyzing an optical signal decay. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes: a source of a beam of pulsed optical energy; a sample holder configured to expose a sample to the beam; a detector comprising a number of spectral detection channels configured to convert the optical signals into respective electrical signals; and a signal processing module configured to perform a method. In some embodiments, the method includes: receiving the electrical signals from the detector; mathematically combining individual decay curves in the electrical signals into a decay supercurve, the supercurve comprising a number of components, each component having a time constant and a relative contribution to the supercurve; and numerically fitting a model to the supercurve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: KINETIC RIVER CORP.
    Inventors: Giacomo Vacca, Ralph Jimenez
  • Publication number: 20220113239
    Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses and methods for analyzing an optical signal decay. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes: a source of a beam of pulsed optical energy; a sample holder configured to expose a sample to the beam; a detector comprising a number of spectral detection channels configured to convert the optical signals into respective electrical signals; and a signal processing module configured to perform a method. In some embodiments, the method includes: receiving the electrical signals from the detector; mathematically combining individual decay curves in the electrical signals into a supercurve, the supercurve comprising a number of components, each component having a time constant and a relative contribution to the supercurve; and quantifying a relative contribution of each component to the supercurve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Giacomo Vacca, Ralph Jimenez
  • Patent number: 11249004
    Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses for analyzing an optical signal decay. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes: a source of a beam of pulsed optical energy; a sample holder configured to expose a sample to the beam; a detector comprising a number of spectral detection channels configured to convert the optical signals into respective electrical signals; and a signal processing module configured to perform a method. In some embodiments, the method includes: receiving the electrical signals from the detector; mathematically combining individual decay curves in the electrical signals into a decay supercurve, the supercurve comprising a number of components, each component having a time constant and a relative contribution to the supercurve; and numerically fitting a model to the supercurve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: KINETIC RIVER CORP.
    Inventors: Giacomo Vacca, Ralph Jimenez
  • Patent number: 11193875
    Abstract: A method for identifying, analyzing, and quantifying the cellular components of whole blood by means of an automated hematology analyzer and the detection of the light scattered, absorbed, and fluorescently emitted by each cell. More particularly, the aforementioned method involves identifying, analyzing, and quantifying the cellular components of whole blood by means of a light source having a wavelength ranging from about 400 nm to about 450 nm and multiple in-flow optical measurements and staining without the need for lysing red blood cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Martin Krockenberger, Jiong Wu, Bodo Roemer, Giacomo Vacca
  • Publication number: 20210341374
    Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses for analyzing an optical signal decay. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes: a source of a beam of pulsed optical energy; a sample holder configured to expose a sample to the beam; a detector comprising a number of spectral detection channels configured to convert the optical signals into respective electrical signals; and a signal processing module configured to perform a method. In some embodiments, the method includes: receiving the electrical signals from the detector; mathematically combining individual decay curves in the electrical signals into a decay supercurve, the supercurve comprising a number of components, each component having a time constant and a relative contribution to the supercurve; and numerically fitting a model to the supercurve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Giacomo Vacca, Ralph Jimenez
  • Publication number: 20210341391
    Abstract: An apparatus to provide a label-free or native particle analysis comprises a light generating system producing first light pulses at a first wavelength and second light pulses at a second wavelength; and a flow cell coupled to the light generating system to convey particles for analysis. The light generating system is configured to chirp at least one of the first light pulses and the second light pulses to analyze the particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventor: Giacomo Vacca
  • Publication number: 20210302301
    Abstract: A particle analyzer, comprising a source of a substantially nondiffracting light beam; a flow path configured to produce in a flowcell a ribbon-like core stream having a specific cross-sectional aspect ratio; the flowcell being configured to expose a segment of the core stream to the light beam; a detector configured to receive a signal resulting from an interaction of a particle in the core stream with the light beam; a first sorting actuator connected with the flowcell, downstream of the exposed segment of core stream; a plurality of sorting channels in fluid connection with the flow path and downstream of the first actuator; the actuator having multiple actuation states, each state configured to direct at least one part of the core stream to a corresponding channel; a second sorting actuator connected with the flowcell, opposite the first actuator, and operable in coordination with the first actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventor: Giacomo Vacca
  • Publication number: 20210278332
    Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses for analyzing an optical signal decay. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes: a source of a beam of pulsed optical energy; a sample holder configured to expose a sample to the beam; a detector comprising a number of spectral detection channels configured to convert the optical signals into respective electrical signals; and a signal processing module configured to perform a method. In some embodiments, the method includes: receiving the electrical signals from the detector; mathematically combining individual decay curves in the electrical signals into a decay supercurve, the supercurve comprising a number of components, each component having a time constant and a relative contribution to the supercurve; and numerically fitting a model to the supercurve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Giacomo Vacca, Ralph Jimenez