Patents by Inventor Jennifer W. Sekowski

Jennifer W. Sekowski 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: 11684921
    Abstract: The pocket detection platform (PDP) detects pathogens, toxins and chemicals of interest simultaneously by way of a multi-channeled, soft see-through plastic pouch design that consists of inner and outer compartments that promote compartmentalization and/or unidirectional sample flow. The platform enables the concurrent running of multiple detection assay techniques such as lateral flow immunoassays (LFI), Isothermal molecular assays (i.e., Recombinase Polymerase Amplification, or RPA) and/or paper-based chemical assays (i.e., M8, pH paper) from a single wet or dry sample with minimal sample processing. The PDP reduces soldier overburden by decreasing size weight, and power (SWaP) as well as training time, electronic burden, while providing a flexible, customizable assay platform that can be rapidly produced, assembled, sustained, and when contaminated, easily to dispose of.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignees: Leidos, Inc., The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Kelley D. Betts, Jennifer W. Sekowski
  • Patent number: 10591390
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to capture aerosols and vapors on substrates from a large variety of sources and matrices for analysis using paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS) is disclosed. A holder for a PS cartridge has better direct sampling efficiency, direct capture on substrate, and lower limits of detection thereby improving the collection and analysis of aerosols and vapors. An apparatus and method for aerosol and vapor collection, from both anthropogenic and environmental sources, for example, that is compact and compatible with hand held devices and unmanned vehicles is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Trevor G. Glaros, John M Nilles, Jennifer W Sekowski, Harold S Wylie, Elizabeth S. Dhummakupt, Phillip M Mach
  • Patent number: 9863886
    Abstract: A sensor system, and a method of detecting a target analyte, comprises a chemically functionalized block copolymer, and a target analyte. The block copolymer exhibits a color change in the visible spectrum upon exposure to the target analyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignees: University of Maryland, College Park, The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Peter Kofinas, Omar B. Ayyub, Jennifer W. Sekowski, Ta-I Yang
  • Publication number: 20160018337
    Abstract: A sensor system, and a method of detecting a target analyte, comprises a chemically functionalized block copolymer, and a target analyte. The block copolymer exhibits a color change in the visible spectrum upon exposure to the target analyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicants: University of Maryland, College Park, The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Peter Kofinas, Omar B. Ayyub, Jennifer W. Sekowski, Ta-I Yang
  • Patent number: 9115240
    Abstract: A sensor system, and a method of detecting a target analyte, comprises a chemically functionalized block copolymer, and a target analyte. The block copolymer exhibits a color change in the visible spectrum upon exposure to the target analyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignees: University of Maryland, College Park, The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Peter Kofinas, Omar B. Ayyub, Jennifer W. Sekowski, Ta-I Yang
  • Publication number: 20120309047
    Abstract: A sensor system, and a method of detecting a target analyte, comprises a chemically functionalized block copolymer, and a target analyte. The block copolymer exhibits a color change in the visible spectrum upon exposure to the target analyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: University of Maryland, College Park
    Inventors: Peter Kofinas, Omar B. Ayyub, Jennifer W. Sekowski, Ta-I Yang
  • Patent number: 7629129
    Abstract: The various embodiments provide method of using hair follicle bulbs as biodosimeters for the detection of chemical exposure. The methods described herein utilize intact, plucked hair follicle bulbs and can be used to monitor real-time or near real-time changes in the levels of specific follicular bulb biomarkers to determine exposure to toxicants. By utilizing the living, responsive cells in the plucked hair follicle bulb in an immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis, the various embodiments mitigate the risks of false positives associated with segmental hair analysis and avoid the more invasive collection required for serum and urinalysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Jennifer W. Sekowski, Amanda E. Chambers
  • Patent number: 7625708
    Abstract: The various embodiments provide method of using hair follicle bulbs as biodosimeters for the detection of chemical exposure. The methods described herein utilize intact, plucked hair follicle bulbs and can be used to monitor real-time or near real-time changes in the levels of specific follicular bulb biomarkers to determine exposure to toxicants. By utilizing the living, responsive cells in the plucked hair follicle bulb in an immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis, the various embodiments mitigate the risks of false positives associated with segmental hair analysis and avoid the more invasive collection required for serum and urinalysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Jennifer W. Sekowski, Amanda E. Chambers
  • Patent number: 6063575
    Abstract: Mercuric ion is cytotoxic and mutagenic to cells. However, the mechanisms of mercuric ion-induced cytotoxicity are not well understood. Studies have suggested that these effects may be due in part to the alteration and inhibition of a variety of cellular processes including DNA replication, DNA repair, RNA transcription, and protein synthesis. However, prior art studies utilizing whole cells, cell extracts, or purified DNA polymerases to examine these activities are not able to specifically identify the precise mechanism or site of the effect or adequately represent the highly ordered environment in which DNA replication occurs in the intact cell. We disclose a novel method for measuring the activity and fidelity of DNA replication using the complex of proteins called the DNA synthesome, an isolated multiprotein form of DNA polymerase. The DNA synthesome is a highly organized complex of proteins capable of supporting all phases of SV 40 origin-specific DNA replication in vitro.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: University of Maryland, At Baltimore
    Inventors: Jennifer W. Sekowski, Linda H. Malkas, Robert J. Hickey