Patents by Inventor Jody Vykoukal

Jody Vykoukal 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: 10413912
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatuses, systems, and methods for programmable fluidic processors. In one embodiment, the invention involves manipulating droplets across a reaction surface of the processor substantially contact-free of any surfaces. The reaction surface and the electrodes of the processor may include a coating repelling the droplets. Further, the present invention provides for a suitable suspending medium for repelling droplets away from fixed surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Peter R. C. Gascoyne, Jody Vykoukal, Jon Schwartz
  • Patent number: 9663762
    Abstract: Methods for recovering target cells using degradable three dimensional matrices are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Ingeneron, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Coleman, Jody Vykoukal
  • Patent number: 9310300
    Abstract: A structure is configured to retain optical diagnostic assay components in a manner that enables them to be synergistically combined or coupled both mechanically and electrically with a conventional mobile electronic device (such as a smartphone), such that the pairing maintains a mutually advantageous relationship to provide a compact portable optical assay apparatus in which the optical assay portion has access to the image sensor, battery power, microprocessor, and data capture, analysis, storage, display and transmission capabilities of the smartphone, and the smartphone portion provides the overall apparatus with features of transportability, user interface, and information storage, analysis and retrieval, and transmission of assay results to a separate site, such as a site of records related to the provider of the sample being assayed. Methods of providing such structure and of performing an optical assay of sample material utilizing such structure are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: INGENERON INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Eckhard Alt, Jody Vykoukal, Michael Coleman
  • Publication number: 20160030951
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatuses, systems, and methods for programmable fluidic processors. In one embodiment, the invention involves manipulating droplets across a reaction surface of the processor substantially contact-free of any surfaces. The reaction surface and the electrodes of the processor may include a coating repelling the droplets. Further, the present invention provides for a suitable suspending medium for repelling droplets away from fixed surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Peter R.C. Gascoyne, Jody Vykoukal, Jon Schwartz
  • Patent number: 8974652
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatuses, systems, and methods for programmable fluidic processors. In one embodiment, the invention involves manipulating droplets across a reaction surface of the processor substantially contact-free of any surfaces. The reaction surface and the electrodes of the processor may include a coating repelling the droplets. Further, the present invention provides for a suitable suspending medium for repelling droplets away from fixed surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Peter R. C. Gascoyne, Jody Vykoukal, Jon Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20140038222
    Abstract: A structure is configured to retain optical diagnostic assay components in a manner that enables them to be synergistically combined or coupled both mechanically and electrically with a conventional mobile electronic device (such as a smartphone), such that the pairing maintains a mutually advantageous relationship to provide a compact portable optical assay apparatus in which the optical assay portion has access to the image sensor, battery power, microprocessor, and data capture, analysis, storage, display and transmission capabilities of the smartphone, and the smartphone portion provides the overall apparatus with features of transportability, user interface, and information storage, analysis and retrieval, and transmission of assay results to a separate site, such as a site of records related to the provider of the sample being assayed. Methods of providing such structure and of performing an optical assay of sample material utilizing such structure are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Eckhard Alt, Jody Vykoukal, Michael Coleman
  • Publication number: 20130260459
    Abstract: Methods for obtaining and preserving target cells using degradable three dimensional matrices are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Ingeneron
    Inventors: Michael Coleman, Jody Vykoukal
  • Publication number: 20130252336
    Abstract: Methods for recovering target cells using degradable three dimensional matrices are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: INGENERON
    Inventors: Michael Coleman, Jody Vykoukal
  • Publication number: 20120224053
    Abstract: Optical detection platforms are described as well as methods of using such platforms to perform quantitative assays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicants: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM, INGENERON, INC.
    Inventors: Jody Vykoukal, Daynene M. Vykoukal, Gregory P. Stone, Eckhard U. Alt
  • Patent number: 8216513
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for microfluidic processing by programmably manipulating a packet. A material is introduced onto a reaction surface and compartmentalized to form a packet. A position of the packet is sensed with a position sensor. A programmable manipulation force is applied to the packet at the position. The programmable manipulation force is adjustable according to packet position by a controller. The packet is programmably moved according to the programmable manipulation force along arbitrarily chosen paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Frederick F Becker, Peter Gascoyne, Xiaobo Wang, Jody Vykoukal, Giovanni De Gasperis
  • Publication number: 20060254920
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for preparing a smear for cytopathology or other analysis. In a representative embodiment, cells of a sample are subjected to a dielectrophoretic force to segregate the cells into two or more zones of a surface. The particles are attached to the surface, thereby defining a “segregated smear.” The segregated smear is then fixed and stained for cytopathology analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Inventors: Peter Gascoyne, Jody Vykoukal, Chandra Das, Frederick Becker
  • Publication number: 20060114296
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatuses, systems, and methods for programmable fluidic processors. In one embodiment, the invention involves manipulating droplets across a reaction surface of the processor substantially contact-free of any surfaces. The reaction surface and the electrodes of the processor may include a coating repelling the droplets. Further, the present invention provides for a suitable suspending medium for repelling droplets away from fixed surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Inventors: Peter Gascoyne, Jody Vykoukal, Jon Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20060070879
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for microfluidic processing by programmably manipulating a packet. A material is introduced onto a reaction surface and compartmentalized to form a packet. A position of the packet is sensed with a position sensor. A programmable manipulation force is applied to the packet at the position. The programmable manipulation force is adjustable according to packet position by a controller. The packet is programmably moved according to the programmable manipulation force along arbitrarily chosen paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Inventors: Frederick Becker, Peter Gascoyne, Xiaobo Wang, Jody Vykoukal, Giovanni De Gasperis
  • Patent number: 6977033
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for microfluidic processing by programmably manipulating a packet. A material is introduced onto a reaction surface and compartmentalized to form a packet. A position of the packet is sensed with a position sensor. A programmable manipulation force is applied to the packet at the position. The programmable manipulation force is adjustable according to packet position by a controller. The packet is programmably moved according to the programmable manipulation force along arbitrarily chosen paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Frederick F. Becker, Peter Gascoyne, Xiaobo Wang, Jody Vykoukal, Giovanni De Gasperis
  • Publication number: 20050072677
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for particle focusing. Particles are focused within a fluid-flow channel using dielectrophoretic forces from electrodes disposed within the fluid-flow channel, and the focused particles can be detected with an optical detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Publication date: April 7, 2005
    Inventors: Peter Gascoyne, Jody Vykoukal
  • Patent number: 6703819
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for analyzing particles using an impedance sensor. A flow-through impedance sensor may use two in-line electrodes driven in counter phase. A common sensor electrode may be used to, for example, detect impedance and determine trajectories through the sensor area. The sensor may be used in a wide variety of applications, including but not limited to use with microfluidic devices for determining particle characteristics such as position, velocity, size, and concentration as well as detection of bacterial spores and other biological agents of potential use in warfare and bio-terrorism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Peter Gascoyne, Tom Anderson, Jody Vykoukal, Frederick Becker
  • Publication number: 20030173223
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for providing wall-less virtual channels. The wall-less channels may be regions such as stripes or other patterns that are defined by polar surface coatings. These wall-less channel may be used with polar solvents and defined by polar surface patterning of narrowly separated top and bottom walls of a chamber filled elsewhere by a non-polar partitioning medium. This provides a simple and easy-to-fabricate interface between the micro and macro worlds in which microfluidic processes are separated from the macro world fluid flow by a narrow veil of immiscible fluid across which an exchange of droplets can be controlled electrically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: Board of Regents,The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Peter R.C. Gascoyne, Jody Vykoukal, Frederick F. Becker
  • Publication number: 20030119057
    Abstract: Engineered microparticles, libraries of microparticles, and methods relating thereto. The microparticles are distinguishable based on differences in dielectric response to an applied electric field. In different embodiments, the dielectric differences may be engineered through, but not limited to, dielectrically dispersive materials, surface charge, and/or fluorescence. Gangliosides may be incorporated with the microparticles to control aggregation. Vesicles including erythrocyte ghosts may be used as a basis for microparticles. The microparticles may utilize a biotin streptavidin system for surface functionalization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Board of Regents
    Inventors: Peter R.C. Gascoyne, Jody Vykoukal, Daynene Vykoukal, Susan Sharma, Frederick F. Becker
  • Publication number: 20030102854
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for analyzing particles using an impedance sensor. A flow-through impedance sensor may use two in-line electrodes driven in counter phase. A common sensor electrode may be used to, for example, detect impedance and determine trajectories through the sensor area. The sensor may be used in a wide variety of applications, including but not limited to use with microfluidic devices for determining particle characteristics such as position, velocity, size, and concentration as well as detection of bacterial spores and other biological agents of potential use in warfare and bio-terrorism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Peter Gascoyne, Tom Anderson, Jody Vykoukal, Frederick Becker
  • Publication number: 20030015428
    Abstract: An engineered microparticle and methods and systems relating thereto. The microparticle includes a conductive core and an insulating layer surrounding the conductive core and having a thickness sufficient to render the microparticle responsive to a dielectrophoretic force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: Frederick F. Becker, Peter R.C. Gascoyne, Jody Vykoukal, Xiaobo Wang