Patents by Inventor Jeffrey A. Wolk
Jeffrey A. Wolk 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: 6801875Abstract: Methods of measuring widths of illumination spots and distances between two points, and predicting detected signal widths are provided. Systems, software, and kits for performing the methods of the invention are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2002Date of Patent: October 5, 2004Assignee: Caliper Life Sciences, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Wolk, Irina Kazakova, Morten J. Jensen
-
Patent number: 6773567Abstract: A method for fabricating a capillary element for electrokinetic transport of materials. The method comprises providing a first capillary element which has a first capillary channel disposed through its length. The capillary channel comprises first and second ends and an outer surface. A continuous layer of an electrically conductive material is applied along a length of the outer surface such that the continuous layer of electrically conductive material extends along the outer surface to a point proximal to, but not up to at least one of the first and second ends. The capillary element is then segmented into at least first and second separate capillary element portions at an intermediate point of the capillary element and the continuous layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2000Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: Caliper Life Sciences, Inc.Inventor: Jeffrey A. Wolk
-
Publication number: 20040053315Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods and systems for determining the interaction of molecules using the phenomena of Taylor-Aris dispersion present in fluid flow in conduits. The method involves relating a change in dispersion of molecules to their level of interaction. The present invention also relates to an assay method using Taylor-Aris dispersion in a microfluidic system in order to examine molecular interactions in a variety of chemical and biochemical systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2003Publication date: March 18, 2004Applicant: Caliper Technologies Corp.Inventors: Michael Spaid, Jeffrey A. Wolk
-
Publication number: 20040014239Abstract: Ultra-high throughput systems and methods are used for sampling large numbers of different materials from surfaces of substantially planar library storage components. The systems and methods typically employ: microfluidic devices having integrated capillary elements for carrying out the analysis of the sampled materials; library storage components, e.g., planar solid substrates, capable of retaining thousands, tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands of different materials in small areas; sensing systems for allowing rapid and accurate sampling of the materials by the microfluidic devices, and associated instrumentation for control and analysis of the overall operation of these systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2003Publication date: January 22, 2004Applicant: Caliper Technologies Corp.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Wolk, Sherri Ann Biondi, J. Wallace Parce, Morten J. Jensen, Anne R. Kopf-Sill
-
Patent number: 6620625Abstract: Ultra-high throughput systems and methods are used for sampling large numbers of different materials from surfaces of substantially planar library storage components. The systems and methods typically employ: microfluidic devices having integrated capillary elements for carrying out the analysis of the sampled materials; library storage components, e.g., planar solid substrates, capable of retaining thousands, tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands of different materials in small areas; sensing systems for allowing rapid and accurate sampling of the materials by the microfluidic devices, and associated instrumentation for control and analysis of the overall operation of these systems.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2000Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: Caliper Technologies Corp.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Wolk, Sherri Ann Biondi, J. Wallace Parce, Morten J. Jensen, Anne R. Kopf-Sill
-
Publication number: 20030036206Abstract: Microfluidic devices and systems having enhanced detection sensitivity, particularly for use in non-fluorogenic detection methods, e.g., absorbance. The systems typically employ planar microfluidic devices that include one or more channel networks that are parallel to the major plane of the device, e.g., the predominant plane of the planar structure, and a detection channel segment that is substantially orthogonal to that plane. The detection system is directed along the length of the detection channel segment using a detection orientation that is consistent with conventional microfluidic systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2002Publication date: February 20, 2003Applicant: Caliper Technologies Corp.Inventors: Ring-Ling Chien, Jeffrey A. Wolk, Michael Spaid, Richard J. McReynolds
-
Publication number: 20030017085Abstract: The invention provides improved systems, devices, and methods for analyzing a large number of sample compounds contained in standard multi-well microtiter plates or other array structures. The multi-well plates travel along a conveyor system to a test station having a microfluidic device. At the test station, each plate is removed from the conveyor and the wells of the multi-well plate are sequentially aligned with an input port of the microfluidic device. After at least a portion of each sample has been input into the microfluidic channel system, the plate is returned to the conveyor system. Pre and/or post testing stations may be disposed along the conveyor system, and the use of an X-Y-Z robotic arm and novel plate support bracket allows each of the samples in the wells to be input into the microfluidic network through a probe affixed to a microfluidic chip.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2002Publication date: January 23, 2003Applicant: Caliper Technologies Corp.Inventors: Joseph A. Kercso, Steven A. Sundberg, Jeffrey A. Wolk, Andrew W. Toth, Calvin Y.H. Chow, J. Wallace Parce
-
Patent number: 6495369Abstract: The invention provides improved systems, devices, and methods for analyzing a large number of sample compounds contained in standard multi-well microtiter plates or other array structures. The multi-well plates travel along a conveyor system to a test station having a microfluidic device. At the test station, each plate is removed from the conveyor and the wells of the multi-well plate are sequentially aligned with an input port of the microfluidic device. After at least a portion of each sample has been input into the microfluidic channel system, the plate is returned to the conveyor system. Pre and/or post testing stations may be disposed along the conveyor system, and the use of an X-Y-Z robotic arm and novel plate support bracket allows each of the samples in the wells to be input into the microfluidic network through a probe affixed to a microfluidic chip.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2000Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: Caliper Technologies Corp.Inventors: Joseph E. Kercso, Steven A. Sundberg, Jeffrey A. Wolk, Andrew W. Toth, Calvin Y. H. Chow, J. Wallace Parce
-
Publication number: 20020180963Abstract: Microfluidic devices and systems having enhanced detection sensitivity, particularly for use in non-fluorogenic detection methods, e.g., absorbance. The systems typically employ planar microfluidic devices that include one or more channel networks that are parallel to the major plane of the device, e.g., the predominant plane of the planar structure, and a detection channel segment that is substantially orthogonal to that plane. The detection system is directed along the length of the detection channel segment using a detection orientation that is consistent with conventional microfluidic systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2002Publication date: December 5, 2002Applicant: Caliper Technologies Corp.Inventors: Ring-Ling Chien, Jeffrey A. Wolk, Michael Spaid, Richard J. McReynolds
-
Patent number: 6447661Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems are provided for introducing large numbers of different materials into a microfluidic analytical device rapidly, efficiently and reproducibly. In particular, improved integrated pipettor chip configurations, e.g. sippers or electropipettors, are described which are capable of sampling extremely small amounts of material for which analysis is desired, transporting material into a microfluidic analytical channel network, and performing the desired analysis on the material.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 1999Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Assignee: Caliper Technologies Corp.Inventors: Andrea W. Chow, Robert S. Dubrow, J. Wallace Parce, Steven A. Sundberg, Jeffrey A. Wolk, Ring-Ling Chien, Steven James Gallagher, Michael R. Knapp, Anne R. Kopf-Sill, Tammy Burd Mehta
-
Publication number: 20020009392Abstract: Methods for reducing fluid carryover by microfluidic devices including capillary element and/or fluid motion. Capillary elements coated with hydrophobic or hydrophilic coatings to resist fluid carryover are also provided. Microfluidic device handling systems are additionally included.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2001Publication date: January 24, 2002Inventors: Jeffrey A. Wolk, J. Wallace Parce, Robert Nagle, Colin B. Kennedy, Syed Husain, Advit Bhatt, Garrett Unno
-
Publication number: 20010049148Abstract: Ultra-high throughput systems and methods are used for sampling large numbers of different materials from surfaces of substantially planar library storage components. The systems and methods typically employ: microfluidic devices having integrated capillary elements for carrying out the analysis of the sampled materials; library storage components, e.g., planar solid substrates, capable of retaining thousands, tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands of different materials in small areas; sensing systems for allowing rapid and accurate sampling of the materials by the microfluidic devices, and associated instrumentation for control and analysis of the overall operation of these systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2000Publication date: December 6, 2001Inventors: Jeffrey A. Wolk, Sherri Ann Biondi, J. Wallace Parce, Morten J. Jensen, Anne R. Kopf-Sill
-
Patent number: 6322683Abstract: Microfluidic devices are fabricated by fabricating structures that are used to align elements that are to be attached to the devices or tools that are to be used in further fabrication steps on those devices. Elements to be attached include additional substrate layers, external sampling elements, e.g. capillaries, and the like. Preferred alignment structures include wells over which reservoirs are positioned, notches for use with alignment keys to align substrate layers or for receiving additional structural elements, and targets or guide holes for receiving tooling in further fabrication steps.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1999Date of Patent: November 27, 2001Assignee: Caliper Technologies Corp.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Wolk, Richard J. McReynolds, J. Wallace Parce
-
Patent number: 6148508Abstract: A method for fabricating a capillary element for electrokinetic transport of materials. The method comprises providing a first capillary element which has a first capillary channel disposed through its length. The capillary channel comprises first and second ends and an outer surface. A continuous layer of an electrically conductive material is applied along a length of the outer surface such that the continuous layer of electrically conductive material extends along the outer surface to a point proximal to, but not up to at least one of the first and second ends. The capillary element is then segmented into at least first and second separate capillary element portions at an intermediate point of the capillary element and the continuous layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1999Date of Patent: November 21, 2000Assignee: Caliper Technologies Corp.Inventor: Jeffrey A. Wolk
-
Patent number: 6149787Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems are provided for introducing large numbers of different materials into a microfluidic analytical device rapidly, efficiently and reproducibly. In particular, improved integrated pipettor chip configurations, e.g. sippers or electropipettors, are described which are capable of sampling extremely small amounts of material for which analysis is desired, transporting material into a microfluidic analytical channel network, and performing the desired analysis on the material.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 1998Date of Patent: November 21, 2000Assignee: Caliper Technologies Corp.Inventors: Andrea W. Chow, Robert S. Dubrow, J. Wallace Parce, Steven A. Sundberg, Jeffrey A. Wolk
-
Patent number: 6132685Abstract: The invention provides improved systems, devices, and methods for analyzing a large number of sample compounds contained in standard multiwell microtiter plates or other array structures. The multiwell plates travel along a conveyor system to a test station having a microfluidic device. At the test station, each plate is removed from the conveyor and the wells of the multiwell plate are sequentially aligned with an input port of the microfluidic device. After at least a portion of each sample has been input into the microfluidic channel system, the plate is returned to the conveyor system. Pre and/or post testing stations may be disposed along the conveyor system, and the use of an X-Y-Z robotic arm and novel plate support bracket allows each of the samples in the wells to be input into the microfluidic network through a probe affixed to a microfluidic chip.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1998Date of Patent: October 17, 2000Assignee: Caliper Technologies CorporationInventors: Joseph E. Kercso, Steven A. Sundberg, Jeffrey A. Wolk, Andrew W. Toth, Calvin Y. H. Chow, J. Wallace Parce