Patents by Inventor Imants Lauks

Imants Lauks 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: 7201833
    Abstract: The invention is directed to analytical devices and micro-arrays with integral fluidic inputs and outputs. The devices are constructed from planar solid-phase hydrophilic matrix circuits containing dry chemical reagents overlaying integral electro-kinetic pumping electrodes. The hydrophilic matrix circuits are enclosed within a gas permeable electrical insulator. The devices are for use in micro-scale bio-analysis, mixture separation and reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Epocal Inc.
    Inventors: Imants Lauks, Raymond J. Pierce, James Wojtyk, Benoit R. Bergevin
  • Patent number: 7094330
    Abstract: The present invention relates to planar electrochemical sensors with membrane coatings used to perform chemical analyses. The object of this invention is to provide unit-use disposable sensors of very simple and economical construction, preferably with only a single membrane coating on an electrode. The invented devices are potentiometric salt-bridge reference electrodes constructed with a heterogeneous membrane coating of a conductor. The heterogeneous membrane is a formulation that concurrently supports non-volatile species transport through an electrolyte compartment and gas transport through a hydrophobic compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Epocal Inc.
    Inventors: Imants Lauks, Andrzej Maczuszenko
  • Publication number: 20060137980
    Abstract: The present invention relates to planar electrochemical sensors with membrane coatings used to perform chemical analyses. The object of this invention is to provide unit-use disposable sensors of very simple and economical construction, preferably with only a single membrane coating on an electrode. The invented devices are potentiometric salt-bridge reference electrodes constructed with a heterogeneous membrane coating of a conductor. The heterogeneous membrane is a formulation that concurrently supports non-volatile species transport through an electrolyte compartment and gas transport through a hydrophobic compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Imants Lauks, Andrzej Maczuszenko
  • Publication number: 20050150761
    Abstract: A chip-carrier module known from smart card technology is adapted as an electrode array for use in disposable sensing or separation devices containing electrodes. The electrodes are manufactured directly onto chip-carrier module. The preferred electrode module includes a chip-carrier module and at least one electrode formed thereon, the chip-carrier module being a laminate of a metal foil and an insulator foil, which metal foil is divided into at least two conductor regions, the insulator foil having a perforation over each conductor region, and the at least one electrode being formed by a membrane layer applied to the insulating foil to extend through one of the perforations for electrical contact with the conductor region associated therewith, the membrane layer imparting chemical sensitivity to the electrode. The result is an electrode module for use in disposable sensing or separation devices containing electrodes, whose unit cost of manufacture is low even at modest manufacturing volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Publication date: July 14, 2005
    Inventor: Imants Lauks
  • Publication number: 20050047972
    Abstract: Devices with lateral flow elements and integral fluidics are disclosed. The integral fluidics consist of injector pumps comprised of fluidic elements under instrument control. The fluidic element of an injector pump is fluidically connected to lateral flow elements and can be used to control fluid entry into containment chambers referred to as micro-reactors. The lateral flow elements comprise conductor elements that can be used for sample application and transport of analyte contained in the sample to the micro-reactor. Fluidic transport through the fluidic element of the injector pump is under instrument-control. Both the lateral flow element and the fluidic element may contain chemical entities incorporated along their length. The chemical reactions that can be used for analyte detection using the devices are described. Also described are methods of manufacture of these devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Inventors: Imants Lauks, Raymond Pierce, James Wojtyk, Benoit Bergevin
  • Publication number: 20040231984
    Abstract: The present invention relates to planar electrochemical sensors with membrane coatings used to perform chemical analyses. The object of this invention is to provide unit-use disposable sensors of very simple and inexpensive construction, preferably with only a single membrane coating on an electrode. The invented devices are potentiometric salt-bridge reference electrodes and dissolved gas sensors constructed with a heterogeneous membrane coating of a conductor. The heterogeneous membrane, which is an intimate admixture of a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic compartment, concurrently supports constrained transport of non-volatile species through its hydrophilic compartment and rapid gas and water vapor transport through its hydrophobic compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Imants Lauks, Anca Varlan, Alexandra Oussova, Michael Bales
  • Publication number: 20040222091
    Abstract: The present invention relates to diagnostic devices incorporating electrode modules and fluidics for performing chemical analyses. The invented devices consist of a sensor array formed on an electrode module, the sensor array being contained within a fluidic housing. The electrode module is a laminate of a perforated epoxy foil and a photo-formed metal foil with sensor membranes deposited into the perforations. The fluidic housing is an element consisting of a plastic card-like body with fluidic conduits and a sealed fluid reservoir contained in a foil-lined cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Imants Lauks, Andrzel MacZuszenko
  • Publication number: 20030127333
    Abstract: The invention is directed to analytical devices and micro-arrays with integral fluidic inputs and outputs. The devices are constructed from planar solid-phase hydrophilic matrix circuits containing dry chemical reagents overlaying integral electro-kinetic pumping electrodes. The hydrophilic matrix circuits are enclosed within a gas permeable electrical insulator. The devices are for use in micro-scale bio-analysis, mixture separation and reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Imants Lauks, Raymond J. Pierce, James Wojtyk, Benoit R. Bergevin