Patents by Inventor J. William Efcavitch

J. William Efcavitch 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).

  • Publication number: 20130022977
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods for detecting fetal nucleic acids and methods for diagnosing fetal abnormalities. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods for determining whether fetal nucleic acid is present in a maternal sample including obtaining a maternal sample suspected to include fetal nucleic acids, and performing a sequencing reaction on the sample to determine presence of at least a portion of a Y chromosome in the sample, thereby determining that fetal nucleic acid is present in the sample. In other embodiments, the invention provides methods for quantitative or qualitative analysis to detect fetal nucleic acid in a maternal sample, regardless of the ability to detect the Y chromosome, particularly for samples including normal nucleic acids from a female fetus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: SEQUENOM, INC
    Inventors: Stanley Lapidus, John F. Thompson, Doron Lipson, Patrice Milos, J. William Efcavitch, Stanley Letovsky
  • Publication number: 20120040340
    Abstract: The invention provides for nucleotide analogs and methods of using the same, e.g., for sequencing nucleic acids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: HELICOS BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: J. William Efcavitch, Suhaib Siddiqi, Philip R. Buzby, Judith Mitchell, Edyta Krzymanska-Olejnik, Subramanian Marappan, Xiaopeng Bai, Atanu Roy, Mirna Jarosz, Jayson Bowers
  • Patent number: 8071755
    Abstract: The invention provides for nucleotide analogs and methods of using the same, e.g., for sequencing nucleic acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Helicos Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: J. William Efcavitch, Suhaib Siddiqi, Philip R. Buzby, Judith Mitchell, Edyta Krzymanska-Olejnik, Subramanian Marappan, Xiaopeng Bai, Atanu Roy, Mirna Jarosz, Jayson Bowers
  • Publication number: 20110192725
    Abstract: The invention provides uncharged water-soluble silica-adsorbing polymers for suppressing electroendoosmotic flow and to reduce analyte-wall interactions in capillary electrophoresis. In one aspect of the invention, one or more of such polymers are employed as components of a separation medium for the separation of biomolecules, such as polynucleotides, polysaccharides, proteins, and the like, by capillary electrophoresis. Generally, such polymers are characterized by (i) water solubility over the temperature range between about 20° C. to about 50° C., (ii) concentration in a separation medium in the range between about 0.001% to about 10% (weight/volume), (iii) molecular weight in the range of about 5×103 to about 1×106 daltons, and (iv) absence of charged groups in an aqueous medium having pH in the range of about 6 to about 9.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ramakrishna S. Madabhushi, Steven M. Menchen, J. William Efcavitch, Paul D. Grossman
  • Publication number: 20110081647
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to nucleotide analogs and methods of their use in sequencing-by-synthesis reactions. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a nucleotide analog including a detectable label attached to a nitrogenous base portion of a nucleotide analog by a cleavable linker, in which contact of the analog with at least one activating agent results in cleavage of the label and elimination of the linker, thereby producing a natural nucleotide, a 9-deaza-G, 9-deaza-A, or ?-uridine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: HELICOS BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Suhaib Siddiqi, J. William Efcavitch, Judith Mitchell, Subramanian Marappan, Jayson Bowers, Mirna Jaroza
  • Patent number: 7863357
    Abstract: The invention provides uncharged water-soluble silica-adsorbing polymers for suppressing electroendoosmotic flow and to reduce analyte-wall interactions in capillary electrophoresis. In one aspect of the invention, one or more of such polymers are employed as components of a separation medium for the separation of biomolecules, such as polynucleotides, polysaccharides, proteins, and the like, by capillary electrophoresis. Generally, such polymers are characterized by (i) water solubility over the temperature range between about 20° C. to about 50° C., (ii) concentration in a separation medium in the range between about 0.001% to about 10% (weight/volume), (iii) molecular weight in the range of about 5×103 to about 1×106 daltons, and (iv) absence of charged groups in an aqueous medium having pH in the range of about 6 to about 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ramakrishna S. Madabhushi, Steven M. Menchen, J. William Efcavitch, Paul D. Grossman
  • Publication number: 20100233696
    Abstract: A method, flow cell and/or device for increasing the recovery of a limiting analyte in a sample, e.g., for single molecule analysis is disclosed. Methods for preparing a nucleic acid sample from a single cell and capturing nucleic acids on a surface configured for use in or with single molecule analysis are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: HELICOS BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard Joseph, James J. DiMeo, Mirna Jarosz, John F. Thompson, Jayson Bowers, Scott Chouinard, Philipp Kapronov, J. William Efcavitch, Christopher Hart, Fatih Ozsolak
  • Publication number: 20100216153
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods for detecting fetal nucleic acids and methods for diagnosing fetal abnormalities. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods for determining whether fetal nucleic acid is present in a maternal sample including obtaining a maternal sample suspected to include fetal nucleic acids, and performing a sequencing reaction on the sample to determine presence of at least a portion of a Y chromosome in the sample, thereby determining that fetal nucleic acid is present in the sample. In other embodiments, the invention provides methods for quantitative or qualitative analysis to detect fetal nucleic acid in a maternal sample, regardless of the ability to detect the Y chromosome, particularly for samples including normal nucleic acids from a female fetus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: HELICOS BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: STANLEY LAPIDUS, JOHN F. THOMPSON, DORON LIPSON, PATRICE MILOS, J. WILLIAM EFCAVITCH, STANLEY LETOVSKY
  • Publication number: 20100216151
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods for detecting fetal nucleic acids and methods for diagnosing fetal abnormalities. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods for determining whether fetal nucleic acid is present in a maternal sample including obtaining a maternal sample suspected to include fetal nucleic acids, and performing a sequencing reaction on the sample to determine presence of at least a portion of a Y chromosome in the sample, thereby determining that fetal nucleic acid is present in the sample. In other embodiments, the invention provides methods for quantitative or qualitative analysis to detect fetal nucleic acid in a maternal sample, regardless of the ability to detect the Y chromosome, particularly for samples including normal nucleic acids from a female fetus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: Helicos BioSciences Corporation
    Inventors: STANLEY LAPIDUS, JOHN F. THOMPSON, DORON LIPSON, PATRICE MILOS, J. WILLIAM EFCAVITCH, STANLEY LETOVSKY
  • Publication number: 20100203524
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to polymerases for efficient and controlled sequencing-by-synthesis reactions. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a polymerase enzyme including at least one mutation that enhances ability of the polymerase as compared to a wild-type polymerase to incorporate a nucleotide into a nascent strand of DNA or cDNA including at least one modified nucleotide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: Helicos Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: J. William Efcavitch, Jayson L. Bowers, Philip R. Buzby, John F. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20090061437
    Abstract: The invention provides for nucleotide analogs and methods of using the same, e.g., for sequencing nucleic acids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: HELICOS BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: J. William Efcavitch, Suhaib Siddiqi, Philip R. Buzby, Judith Mitchell, Edyta Krzymanska-Olejnik, Subramanian Marappan, Xiaopeng Bai, Atanu Roy, Mirna Jarosz, Jayson Bowers
  • Publication number: 20070196832
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods for detecting a mutation in a nucleic acid. Methods of the invention are useful for detecting and identifying mutations that are indicative of disease or the predisposition for disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Inventors: J. William Efcavitch, Marie Sutherlin Causey
  • Patent number: 7045048
    Abstract: The invention provides uncharged water-soluble silica-adsorbing polymers for suppressing electroendoosmotic flow and to reduce analyte-wall interactions in capillary electrophoresis. In one aspect of the invention, one or more of such polymers are employed as components of a separation medium for the separation of biomolecules, such as polynucleotides, polysaccharides, proteins, and the like, by capillary electrophoresis. Generally, such polymers are characterized by (i) water solubility over the temperature range between about 20° C. to about 50° C., (ii) concentration in a separation medium in the range between about 0.001% to about 10% (weight/volume), (iii) molecular weight in the range of about 5×103 to about 1×106 daltons, and (iv) absence of charged groups in an aqueous medium having pH in the range of about 6 to about 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Applera Corporation
    Inventors: Ramakrishna S. Madabhushi, Steven M. Menchen, J. William Efcavitch, Paul D. Grossman
  • Patent number: 6827830
    Abstract: An electrophoretic method for purifying a nucleic acid sample is disclosed. According to the method, the electrophoresis is effective to substantially reduce the concentration of contaminants relative to the concentration of desired nucleic acid in the nucleic acid sample, thereby producing a purified nucleic acid. In the method, the loading and recovery wells may be the same or different, and the electric fields may be DC or alternating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignees: Applera Corporation, University of Ottawa
    Inventors: Gary Slater, J. William Efcavitch, Guy Drouin, Pascal Mayer, Jean Rousseau, Hong Yan Zhou, Claudia Chiesa, Robert Ruhfel, Roger O'Neill
  • Publication number: 20030217924
    Abstract: The invention provides uncharged water-soluble silica-adsorbing polymers for suppressing electroendoosmotic flow and to reduce analyte-wall interactions in capillary electrophoresis. In one aspect of the invention, one or more of such polymers are employed as components of a separation medium for the separation of biomolecules, such as polynucleotides, polysaccharides, proteins, and the like, by capillary electrophoresis. Generally, such polymers are characterized by (i) water solubility over the temperature range between about 20° C. to about 50° C., (ii) concentration in a separation medium in the range between about 0.001% to about 10% (weight/volume), (iii) molecular weight in the range of about 5×103 to about 1×106 daltons, and (iv) absence of charged groups in an aqueous medium having pH in the range of about 6 to about 9.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: PE Corporation (NY)
    Inventors: Ramakrishna S. Madabhushi, Steven M. Menchen, J. William Efcavitch, Paul D. Grossman
  • Patent number: 6358385
    Abstract: The invention provides uncharged water-soluble silica-adsorbing polymers for suppressing electroendoosmotic flow and to reduce analyte-wall interactions in capillary electrophoresis. In one aspect of the invention, one or more of such polymers are employed as components of a separation medium for the separation of biomolecules, such as polynucleotides, polysaccharides, proteins, and the like, by capillary electrophoresis. Generally, such polymers are characterized by (i) water solubility over the temperature range between about 20° C. to about 50° C., (ii) concentration in a separation medium in the range between about 0.001% to about 10% (weight/volume), (iii) molecular weight in the range of about 5×103 to about 1×106 daltons, and (iv) absence of charged groups in an aqueous medium having pH in the range of about 6 to about 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: The Perkin-Elmer Corporation
    Inventors: Ramakrishna S. Madabhushi, Steven M. Menchen, J. William Efcavitch, Paul D. Grossman
  • Patent number: 6355709
    Abstract: The invention provides uncharged water-soluble silica-adsorbing polymers for suppressing electroendoosmotic flow and to reduce analyte-wall interactions in capillary electrophoresis. In one aspect of the invention, one or more of such polymers are employed as components of a separation medium for the separation of biomolecules, such as polynucleotides, polysaccharides, proteins, and the like, by capillary electrophoresis. Generally, such polymers are characterized by (i) water solubility over the temperature range between about 20° C. to about 50° C., (ii) concentration in a separation medium in the range between about 0.001% to about 10% (weight/volume), (iii) molecular weight in the range of about 5×103 to about 1×106 daltons, and (iv) absence of charged groups in an aqueous medium having pH in the range of about 6 to about 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: The Perkin-Elmer Corporation
    Inventors: Ramakrishna S. Madabhushi, Steven M. Menchen, J. William Efcavitch, Paul D. Grossman
  • Patent number: 6146511
    Abstract: An electrophoretic method for purifying a nucleic acid sample is disclosed. The method generally comprises the steps of (1) providing a nucleic acid sample comprising a desired nucleic acid and one or more contaminants, (2) providing an electrophoresis matrix having a loading well and a recovery well formed therein, (3) placing the nucleic acid sample into the loading well, (4) performing a first electrophoresis comprising electrophoresing the nucleic acid sample for a first time effective to transport the desired nucleic acid out of the loading well and into the electrophoresis matrix; and (5) performing a second electrophoresis comprising electrophoresing the nucleic acid sample for a second time effective to transport the desired nucleic acid out of the electrophoresis matrix and into the recovery well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignees: The Perkin-Elmer Corporation, The University of Ottawa
    Inventors: Gary Slater, J. William Efcavitch, Guy Drouin, Pascal Mayer, Jean Rousseau, Hong Yan Zhou, Claudia Chiesa, Robert Ruhfel, Roger O'Neill
  • Patent number: 5916426
    Abstract: The invention provides uncharged water-soluble silica-adsorbing polymers for suppressing electroendoosmotic flow and to reduce analyte-wall interactions in capillary electrophoresis. In one aspect of the invention, one or more of such polymers are employed as components of a separation medium for the separation of biomolecules, such as polynucleotides, polysaccharides, proteins, and the like, by capillary electrophoresis. Generally, such polymers are characterized by (i) water solubility over the temperature range between about 20.degree. C. to about 50.degree. C., (ii) concentration in a separation medium in the range between about 0.001% to about 10% (weight/volume), (iii) molecular weight in the range of about 5.times.10.sup.3 to about 1.times.10.sup.6 daltons, and (iv) absence of charged groups in an aqueous medium having pH in the range of about 6 to about 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: The Perkin-Elmer Corporation
    Inventors: Ramakrishna S. Madabhushi, Steven M. Menchen, J. William Efcavitch, Paul D. Grossman
  • Patent number: 5567292
    Abstract: The invention provides uncharged water-soluble silica-adsorbing polymers for suppressing electroendoosmotic flow and to reduce analyte-wall interactions in capillary electrophoresis. In one aspect of the invention, one or more of such polymers are employed as components of a separation medium for the separation of biomolecules, such as polynucleotides, polysaccharides, proteins, and the like, by capillary electrophoresis. Generally, such polymers are characterized by (i) water solubility over the temperature range between about 20.degree. C. to about 50.degree. C., (ii) concentration in a separation medium in the range between about 0.001% to about 10% (weight/volume), (iii) molecular weight in the range of about 5.times.10.sup.3 to about 1.times.10.sup.6 daltons, and (iv) absence of charged groups in an aqueous medium having pH in the range of about 6 to about 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: The Perkin-Elmer Corporation
    Inventors: Ramakrishna S. Madabhushi, Steven M. Menchen, J. William Efcavitch, Paul D. Grossman