Patents by Inventor Jeffrey A. Koehler
Jeffrey A. Koehler 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: 7477637Abstract: A system and method for transferring data from a source to a destination are described. Data packets are split into multiple data packet portions and are transferred in parallel over parallel data streams or pipes to grouping circuitry where they are recombined into full data packets. Each packet portion is assigned a synchronization code and a pipe state machine state. The grouping circuitry reads individual packet portions from the parallel streams and analyzes the synchronization codes and the state machine states to determine if the individual packet portions were generated from the same packet. If so, they are recombined into a full packet and are forwarded to the destination. If not, an error is detected. The grouping circuitry automatically realigns the data streams to recover synchronization without the need for any feedback to the individual streams to correct the error.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2003Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: Pluris, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Koehler, Eric J. Spada, Eric J. Pelletier
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Patent number: 7261812Abstract: Chromatographic separation devices include multiple batch-processed columns joined by a body structure and adapted to perform parallel analyses. Both slurry-packed and monolithic column embodiments are provided. One or more liquid-permeable frits of various types may be used to retain stationary phase material within columns. A fluidic distribution network may be used to distribute stationary phase material and/or mobile phase solvents to multiple columns. Separation devices, including microfluidic embodiments, may be fabricated with various materials including polymers. Multi-column fabrication and separation methods are provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2003Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: Nanostream, Inc.Inventors: Christoph D. Karp, Joseph F. Covington, Matthew M. Gregori, Steven E. Hobbs, Jeffrey A. Koehler, Stephen D. O'Connor, Paren P. Patel, Scott G. Beach
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Patent number: 7153421Abstract: A multi-layer microfluidic separation device comprises a polymeric membrane frit that may be securely bonded within the device and minimizes lateral wicking. Stationary phase material having an average particle size is retained by a frit having an average pore size that is smaller than the average particle size. In one embodiment, a secure bond is ensured by treating the polymer to match its surface energy to that of the materials to which it is bound. Treatments include plasma treatment, irradiation and the application of acids.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2004Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Nanostream, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Koehler, Paren P. Patel
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Patent number: 6973079Abstract: A method and apparatus for reallocating switching circuitry in a switching fabric are disclosed. The switching fabric is used to permit data transfer among a plurality of interface units each having a plurality of data ports. The switching fabric is partitionable into a plurality of switch planes such that each switch plane can be assigned to transfer data associated with like data ports of the interface units. Each switch plane includes multiple switching channels each assignable to transfer data associated with one data port of one of the interface units, in a full implementation. The number of interface units is less than the number of switching channels in a switch plane, then the reallocation is performed such that multiple channels of at least one switch plane can be assigned to transfer data of multiple ports of at least one of the interface units. This results in switch plane channels that would otherwise be unused being utilized to transfer data.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1999Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Pluris, Inc.Inventors: James D. Carlson, Steven J. Schwartz, Eric J. Spada, Eric J. Pelletier, Jeffrey A. Koehler
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Patent number: 6923907Abstract: Pressure-driven microfluidic separation devices, such as may be used for performing high performance liquid chromatography, are provided. Multiple separation columns may be defined in a single device and packed with stationary phase material retained by porous frits. One or more splitters may be provided to distribute slurry and/or mobile phase among multiple separation columns. In one embodiment, separation devices are substantially planar and fabricated with multiple device layers. Systems and methods employing slurry for packing separation devices are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2003Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: Nanostream, Inc.Inventors: Steven E. Hobbs, Matthew M. Gregori, Christoph D. Karp, Jeffrey A. Koehler, Paren P. Patel, Joseph F. Covington
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Patent number: 6891823Abstract: A method and apparatus for reallocating switching circuitry in a switching fabric are disclosed. The switching fabric is used to permit data transfer among a plurality of interface units each having a plurality of data ports. The switching fabric is partitionable into a plurality of switch planes such that each switch plane can be assigned to transfer data associated with like data ports of the interface units. Each switch plane includes multiple switching channels each assignable to transfer data associated with one data port of one of the interface units, in a full implementation. The number of interface units is less than the number of switching channels in a switch plane, then the reallocation is performed such that multiple channels of at least one switch plane can be assigned to transfer data of multiple ports of at least one of the interface units. This results in switch plane channels that would otherwise be unused being utilized to transfer data.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1999Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: Pluris, Inc.Inventors: Steven J. Schwartz, Eric J. Spada, Eric J. Pelletier, Jeffrey A. Koehler
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Patent number: 6848462Abstract: A method for fabricating a microfluidic device where first and second substantially flat platens are provided. Multiple substantially planar, substantially metal-free, adhesiveless polymer device layers, the device layers including a first cover layer, second cover layer, and at least one stencil layer defining a microfluidic channel penetrating through the entire thickness of the stencil layer also are provided. Each stencil layer is disposed between other device layers such that the channel is bounded laterally by a stencil layer, and bounded from above and below by surrounding device layers to define an upper channel surface and a lower channel surface. The device layers are stacked between the first platen and the second platen. The stacked device layers are controllably heated according to a heating profile adapted to form a substantially sealed adhesiveless microfluidic device wherein each upper channel surface remains distinct from its corresponding lower channel surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2002Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: Nanostream, Inc.Inventors: Joseph F. Covington, Steven E. Hobbs, Jeffrey A. Koehler, Paren P. Patel, Marci Pezzuto, Mark S. Scheib
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Publication number: 20050006293Abstract: A multi-layer microfluidic separation device comprises a polymeric membrane frit that may be securely bonded within the device and minimizes lateral wicking. Stationary phase material having an average particle size is retained by a frit having an average pore size that is smaller than the average particle size. In one embodiment, a secure bond is ensured by treating the polymer to match its surface energy to that of the materials to which it is bound. Treatments include plasma treatment, irradiation and the application of acids.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2004Publication date: January 13, 2005Applicant: Nanostream, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Koehler, Paren Patel
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Patent number: 6814859Abstract: A frit for use in multi-layer microfluidic separation devices is provided. The frit comprises a polymeric membrane that may be securely bonded within the device and minimizes lateral wicking. A secure bond is ensured by treating the polymer to match its surface energy to that of the materials to which it is bound. Treatments include plasma treatment, irradiation and the application of acids.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2002Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Nanostream, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Koehler, Paren P. Patel
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Publication number: 20040105423Abstract: A system and method for transferring data from a source to a destination are described. Data packets are split into multiple data packet portions and are transferred in parallel over parallel data streams or pipes to grouping circuitry where they are recombined into full data packets. Each packet portion is assigned a synchronization code and a pipe state machine state. The grouping circuitry reads individual packet portions from the parallel streams and analyzes the synchronization codes and the state machine states to determine if the individual packet portions were generated from the same packet. If so, they are recombined into a full packet and are forwarded to the destination. If not, an error is detected. The grouping circuitry automatically realigns the data streams to recover synchronization without the need for any feedback to the individual streams to correct the error.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2003Publication date: June 3, 2004Inventors: Jeffrey A. Koehler, Eric J. Spada, Eric J. Pelletier
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Patent number: 6650660Abstract: A system and method for transferring data from a source to a destination are described. Data packets are split into multiple data packet portions and are transferred in parallel over parallel data streams or pipes to grouping circuitry where they are recombined into full data packets. Each packet portion is assigned a synchronization code and a pipe state machine state. The grouping circuitry reads individual packet portions from the parallel streams and analyzes the synchronization codes and the state machine states to determine if the individual packet portions were generated from the same packet. If so, they are recombined into a full packet and are forwarded to the destination. If not, an error is detected. The grouping circuitry automatically realigns the data streams to recover synchronization without the need for any feedback to the individual streams to correct the error.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 1999Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Pluris, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Koehler, Eric J. Spada, Eric J. Pelletier
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Publication number: 20030150792Abstract: A frit for use in multi-layer microfluidic separation devices is provided. The frit comprises a polymeric membrane that may be securely bonded within the device and minimizes lateral wicking. A secure bond is ensured by treating the polymer to match its surface energy to that of the materials to which it is bound. Treatments include plasma treatment, irradiation and the application of acids.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2002Publication date: August 14, 2003Applicant: Nanostream, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Koehler, Paren P. Patel
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Publication number: 20030150806Abstract: Pressure-driven microfluidic separation devices, such as may be used for performing high performance liquid chromatography, are provided. Multiple separation columns may be defined in a single device and packed with stationary phase material retained by porous frits. One or more splitters may be provided to distribute slurry and/or mobile phase among multiple separation columns. In one embodiment, separation devices are substantially planar and fabricated with multiple device layers. Systems and methods employing slurry for packing separation devices are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2003Publication date: August 14, 2003Applicant: Nanostream, Inc.Inventors: Steven E. Hobbs, Matthew M. Gregori, Christoph D. Karp, Jeffrey A. Koehler, Paren P. Patel, Joseph F. Covington
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Publication number: 20030106799Abstract: A method for fabricating a microfluidic device where first and second substantially flat platens are provided. Multiple substantially planar, substantially metal-free, adhesiveless polymer device layers, the device layers including a first cover layer, second cover layer, and at least one stencil layer defining a microfluidic channel penetrating through the entire thickness of the stencil layer also are provided. Each stencil layer is disposed between other device layers such that the channel is bounded laterally by a stencil layer, and bounded from above and below by surrounding device layers to define an upper channel surface and a lower channel surface. The device layers are stacked between the first platen and the second platen. The stacked device layers are controllably heated according to a heating profile adapted to form a substantially sealed adhesiveless microfluidic device wherein each upper channel surface remains distinct from its corresponding lower channel surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2002Publication date: June 12, 2003Applicant: Nanostream, IncInventors: Joseph F. Covington, Steven E. Hobbs, Jeffrey A. Koehler, Paren P. Patel, Marci Pezzuto, Mark S. Scheib
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Patent number: 6553035Abstract: An apparatus and method for queuing data such as data being transferred across or within a switching node on a network are described. The queuing apparatus includes a plurality of inputs for receiving data to be transferred to at least one output, each input being adapted to receive data at a data rate associated with the input. Each input transfers data to a relatively short queue which stores the data received at the input. Each output is associated with as many short queues as their inputs capable of transferring data to the output. A long queue associated with the output receives data from each of the short queues associated with the output and forwards the data to the output. A control circuit associated with the output transfers data stored in all of the short queues associated with the output into the long queue. This transfer takes place at a data rate that is higher than the data rate associated with the input such that the short queues are prevented from becoming full.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1999Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Pluris, Inc.Inventors: Steven J. Schwartz, Eric J. Pelletier, Eric J. Spada, Jeffrey A. Koehler