Patents by Inventor Jason Heikenfeld

Jason Heikenfeld 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: 20250116626
    Abstract: A device for detecting the presence of, or measuring the concentration or amount of, at least one analyte in a sample fluid is disclosed. The device includes at least one electrode; a sample fluid; and a plurality of affinity-based probes capable of binding to the analyte, wherein the affinity-based probes each carry a plurality of redox tags. Further, the detection or measurement of an analyte is caused by analyte binding to the affinity-based probe which further causes a change in electron transfer from the redox tags.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2023
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Applicant: University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: Jason Heikenfeld, Mark Friedel
  • Publication number: 20250064354
    Abstract: A wearable heart monitoring device includes a carrier and a housing. The carrier includes a first electrode defining a sensor configured to measure at least one of b-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), or Troponin. Moreover, a second electrode is configured to measure at least one of parameter associated with a heart, heart disease, or heart disease treatment, of a patient wearing the heart monitoring device. The housing includes an adhesive thereon. The housing is coupled to the carrier. Moreover, the housing contains a controller communicably coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode, memory coupled to the controller, and a communication interface communicably coupled to the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2024
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Inventor: Jason Heikenfeld
  • Publication number: 20240382118
    Abstract: A method of measuring analytes in a subject in vivo for a period of time is provided. The method involves storing a device. The device includes at least one sensor comprising an aptamer material; at least one feature for coupling said sensor to an analyte in the subject in vivo; at least one sterilization state that imparts sterilization on at least one component of the device; at least one sterile packaging material enabling a storage state; and at least one aptamer storage material. The sensor is contained in the sterile packaging material and the storage material is anhydrous. Further, wherein the sensor and the feature are sterile. The method further involves removing the sterile packaging material from the device and using the feature to couple the sensor to an analyte in the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Applicant: University of Cincinnati
    Inventor: Jason Heikenfeld
  • Publication number: 20240215873
    Abstract: A device for measuring one or more analytes in a sample fluid is provided. The device includes at least one aptamer sensor comprising a plurality of aptamers. The sensor provides a measurement of at least one of the analytes. In addition, the measurement is affected by changes in temperature (“a temperature-dependent response”). The device also includes a means to establish fluid communication between the at least one aptamer sensor and the sample fluid. Further, the device includes at least one temperature sensor and a means for correcting a measurement error due to the temperature-dependent response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Applicant: University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: Jason Heikenfeld, Israel Belmonte, Ryan Jeffrey White
  • Publication number: 20240215904
    Abstract: A device for measuring one or more analytes in a sample of interstitial fluid or blood is provided. The device comprises at least one EAB sensor using one or more attached redox couples that measure at least one of the analytes. It also includes at least one means to establish fluid communication between the sensor and the sample. The analytes are selected from the group consisting of progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), their metabolites, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Applicant: University of Cincinnati
    Inventor: Jason Heikenfeld
  • Publication number: 20240036039
    Abstract: Described are sensing devices and methods for detecting at least one analyte in a sample solution. The sensor is capable of a pre-storage state, a storage state and a sensing state. The sensor includes at least one substrate-adjacent aptamer; where the sensor, in the absence of a material to reduce or prevent degradation, would incur significant degradation when the sensor is placed in a storage state. The sensor further includes at least one material which reduces or prevents the significant degradation during the storage state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Jason Heikenfeld, Mark Friedel, Zachary Watkins
  • Publication number: 20240027392
    Abstract: A device and method for detecting the presence of, or measuring the concentration or amount of, at least one analyte in a sample fluid. The device 100 includes at least one electrode 150, a sensor fluid 18, a plurality of aptamers freely diffusing in the sensor fluid, and a plurality of redox tags associated with at least a subset of aptamers of the plurality of aptamers. The sensor fluid is capable of having a sample fluid 14 introduced thereinto, and the detection or measurement of any analyte may occur through a change in electron transfer from at least one redox tag of the plurality of redox tags.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Jason Heikenfeld, Yuchan Yuan
  • Publication number: 20240027391
    Abstract: A device and method for continuously sensing at least one target analyte in a sample fluid. The device 100 includes a plurality of electrochemical aptamer sensors 120, 122, 124, 126; and at least one gating component 132, 134, 136 associated with at least one electrochemical aptamer sensor of the plurality of electrochemical aptamer sensors. The method includes bringing a sample fluid 190 into contact with the device, and determining or measuring a change in an electrical current associated with the at least one electrochemical aptamer sensor to (1) determine the presence of an analyte in the sample fluid, or (2) measure the amount or concentration of an analyte in the sample fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventor: Jason Heikenfeld
  • Publication number: 20230358736
    Abstract: A device and method for detecting the presence of, or measuring the concentration of amount of, at least one analyte in a sample fluid. The device includes a sensor fluid (18), a plurality of adapter molecules (980) in the sensor fluid that are capable of binding to an analyte, a plurality of aptamers (970) in the sensor fluid that are capable of binding to the analyte when analyte is bound to one or more adapter molecules of the plurality of adapter molecules, at least one membrane (936) in communication with the sensor fluid, and at least one detection component that is capable of detecting the binding of analyte by one or more of the plurality of aptamers. The membrane is permeable to the analyte but impermeable to the adapter molecule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventor: Jason Heikenfeld
  • Publication number: 20230358738
    Abstract: Devices and methods for measuring an analyte. A sensing device includes a sensor and a detection circuit operatively coupled to the sensor. The sensor includes a working electrode having an aptamer and an attached redox couple to electrochemically measure the analyte. The detection circuit is configured to apply a first scan having a first scan range to the sensor, and determine a position of a redox peak in the first scan. In response to the first scan range not matching the position of the redox peak, the detector circuit defines a second scan range that matches the position of the redox peak, and applies a second scan having the second scan range to the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventor: Jason Heikenfeld
  • Publication number: 20230358737
    Abstract: A device for measuring the concentration of a target analyte in a sample fluid. The device (100) includes a housing (110) defining a plurality of chambers including at least a first chamber (112) and a second chamber (114). The first chamber includes a sensor fluid (132) therein, and the second chamber includes a reservoir fluid (134) therein. A sample fluid area (116) is also defined by the housing. This sample fluid area is capable of receiving a sample fluid (130) to be tested for the presence or concentration of a target analyte. A first element (140) separates the first chamber from the sample fluid area and restricts diffusion of solutes between the sensor fluid and sample fluid. A second element (142) separates the first chamber from the second chamber and restricts diffusion of solutes between the sensor fluid and the reservoir fluid. The device also includes at least one sensing electrode (120) that is positioned in the sensor fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Jason Heikenfeld, Yuchan Yuan
  • Publication number: 20230349894
    Abstract: Devices and methods for measuring an analyte. A sensing device 156 includes a sensor and a detection circuit operatively coupled to the sensor. The sensor includes a working electrode having an aptamer and an attached redox couple to electrochemically measure the analyte. The detection circuit is configured to perform a partial scan of the sensor, wherein the partial scan includes only a portion of a full scan. The working electrode may be one of a plurality of working electrodes, and the detection circuit may perform the partial scan on a different subset of the plurality of working electrodes on each of a plurality of measurement cycles. Partial scans may include partial voltage scans, partial current scans, or partial frequency scans.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Jason Heikenfeld, Mark Friedel, Madeleine Debrosse
  • Publication number: 20230329600
    Abstract: A device and method including at least one electrochemical aptamer sensor for small sample volume sensing. The device (100) includes at least one substrate (110) that defines a microfluidic feature (118) having a defined volume. At least one electrochemical aptamer sensor (120), including an electrode (122) associated with a plurality of aptamers (124), is carried by the substrate and is in fluid communication with the defined volume. The defined volume is capable of containing less than 30 ?L of a sample fluid when the defined volume is filled with the sample fluid. Additionally, or alternatively, the volume of the sample fluid in ?L is equal to C * the surface area of the electrode in cm2 that is associated with the plurality of aptamers/concentration of the target analyte in ?M; and C has a value chosen from less than 4, less than 0.4, less than 0.04, and less than 0.004.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: University of Cincinnati
    Inventor: Jason Heikenfeld
  • Publication number: 20230333044
    Abstract: A device and method for detecting the presence of, or measuring the amount or concentration of, at least one analyte in a sample fluid, where the device includes a dissolvable material, and a plurality of aptamers disposed in and/or on the dissolvable material, and where one or more aptamers of the plurality of aptamers (1) are capable of binding at least one analyte, and (2) have at least one redox tag attached thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: University of Cincinnati
    Inventor: Jason Heikenfeld
  • Publication number: 20230068803
    Abstract: Provided herein are devices and methods for monitoring biofluids related to ovulation. Such devices include the use of electrochemical aptamer-based (EAB) sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicants: UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI, MFB FERTILITY, INC.
    Inventors: Jason HEIKENFELD, Amy BECKLEY
  • Patent number: 11412959
    Abstract: The present invention provides a biofluid sensing device capable of concentrating a biofluid sample with respect to a target analyte, so that the analyte can be accurately detected or measured by EAB sensors. Methods for using such a device provide qualitative information about the presence of the analyte, and/or quantitative information about relative concentrations of the analyte in the biofluid. The disclosed device includes a concentration channel for concentrating the biofluid sample, as well as a selectively permeable membrane, one or more EAB sensors, and one or more secondary sensors carried on a water-impermeable substrate. A method for using the disclosed device to collect a biofluid sample, concentrate the sample relative to a target analyte, and measure the target analyte is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Epicore Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Beech, Gavi Begtrup, Jason Heikenfeld, Jacob A. Bertrand
  • Publication number: 20210282671
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention provide wearable devices that use a humidity sensor to measure sweat rate generated from an area of skin. A sensing chamber is continuously filled with a sweat sample, which forms a droplet and alters the humidity measured within the chamber. Once the sweat sample droplet expands to the edge of the chamber, the droplet contacts a wick and is drawn away, so the chamber can fill with a subsequent droplet. The device uses a droplet volume and the time required to reach a maximum humidity to calculate a sweat rate. A pump is used to draw old sweat sample out of the wick to allow extended device operation. Some embodiments also include capacitive sensors to perform back up measurements. Another set of embodiments includes alternatively shaped sensing chambers configured to reduce sample volumes or improve function. A method for determining sweat rate based on humidity sensor measurements is also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: Eccrine Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michelle Hoffman, Jason Heikenfeld, Jacob A Bertrand, Nicholas Bailey
  • Publication number: 20210204840
    Abstract: Challenges of the sweat medium for electrochemical aptamer-based biosensor (“EAB sensor”) devices can be mitigated through aptamer selection, sensor/device configuration and physiological algorithms that account for the effects of (1) target analyte size, (2) potential concentration ranges, (3) sweat sample pH, and (4) sweat sample salinity. The disclosed invention includes a method of aptamer selection for use in an EAB sensor configured for use in a wearable sweat sensing device. The disclosed invention further provides a sweat sensing device configured to use EAB sensors to detect target analytes in a sweat sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Applicant: Eccrine Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob A. Bertrand, Gavi Begtrup, Leila Safazadeh Haghighi, Jason Heikenfeld
  • Patent number: 10674946
    Abstract: The disclosed invention provides a sweat sensing device configured with self-aligned sweat stimulation means to provide adequate sweat generation for continuous monitoring of sweat. The disclosed device includes one or more analyte-specific sweat sensors that self-align with sweat glands. In one embodiment, the sweat sensing device includes means to protect the self-aligning sensors from abrasion against the skin or device components. In another embodiment, the device includes prolonged sweat stimulation for the self-aligning sensors through diffusion of a sweat stimulating compound into the skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Eccrine Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gavi Begtrup, Jason Heikenfeld
  • Publication number: 20200155046
    Abstract: The present invention provides a biofluid sensing device capable of concentrating a biofluid sample with respect to a target analyte, so that the analyte can be accurately detected or measured by EAB sensors. Methods for using such a device provide qualitative information about the presence of the analyte, and/or quantitative information about relative concentrations of the analyte in the biofluid. The disclosed device includes a concentration channel for concentrating the biofluid sample, as well as a selectively permeable membrane, one or more EAB sensors, and one or more secondary sensors carried on a water-impermeable substrate. A method for using the disclosed device to collect a biofluid sample, concentrate the sample relative to a target analyte, and measure the target analyte is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Applicant: Eccrine Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Beech, Gavi Begtrup, Jason Heikenfeld, Jacob A. Bertrand