Patents by Inventor John R Williford
John R Williford 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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Publication number: 20190217293Abstract: A microfluidic device for concentrating and detecting bacteria in liquids, and related methods are described. The device includes a first filter chamber for capturing bacteria and performing incubations of the bacteria with one or more reagents, and a second filter chamber for capturing and concentrating a detectable material, with little or no binding of detectable material by the first filter. In an aspect, bacteria are incubated with growth media and engineered phage that cause the bacteria to produce an enzyme. In an aspect, the enzyme is capture in the second filter chamber and exposed to a substrate to produce a detectable signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2018Publication date: July 18, 2019Applicant: Cornell UniversityInventors: Luis F. Alonzo, Spencer Garing, Anne-Laure M. Le Ny, Kevin Paul Flood Nichols, Sam Rasmussen Nugen, John R. Williford
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Patent number: 10107797Abstract: Microfluidic cartridges for agglutination reactions are provided. The cartridges include a microfluidic reaction channel with at least two intake channels, one for an antigen-containing fluid and the other for an antibody-containing fluid, conjoined to a reaction channel modified by incorporation of a downstream flow control channel. At low Reynolds Number, the two input streams layer one on top of the other in the reaction channel and form a flowing, unmixed horizontally-stratified laminar fluid diffusion (HLFD) interface for an extended duration of reaction. Surprisingly, the design, surface properties, and flow regime of microfluidic circuits of the present invention potentiate detection of antibody mediated agglutination at the stratified interface. Antigen:antibody reactions involving agglutination potentiated by these devices are useful in blood typing, in crossmatching for blood transfusion, and in immunodiagnostic agglutination assays, for example.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2015Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: C. Frederick Battrell, Diane Wierzbicki, John Clemmens, Jason Capodanno, John R. Williford, Carolina Elmufdi, Isaac Sprague
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Patent number: 9938571Abstract: Manufacturing methods and compositions are described for production of self-contained microfluidic cartridge devices with on-board reagents for molecular biological testing. Sensitive reagents are stored in dry form without lyophilization or freezing, and reconstituted at the point of use with either a biological sample or a sample eluate at the point of use. Manufacturing methods include sheet and roll fabrication processes where the reagents are printed in place and sealed within individual microfluidic cartridges before gel vitrification.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2014Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: C. Frederick Battrell, Denise Maxine Hoekstra, Joan Haab, John R. Williford, Sabrina N. Gunderson, Elizabeth R. Leber, Isaac Sprague
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Publication number: 20160209431Abstract: Microfluidic cartridges for agglutination reactions are provided. The cartridges include a microfluidic reaction channel with at least two intake channels, one for an antigen-containing fluid and the other for an antibody-containing fluid, conjoined to a reaction channel modified by incorporation of a downstream flow control channel. At low Reynolds Number, the two input streams layer one on top of the other in the reaction channel and form a flowing, unmixed horizontally-stratified laminar fluid diffusion (HLFD) interface for an extended duration of reaction. Surprisingly, the design, surface properties, and flow regime of microfluidic circuits of the present invention potentiate detection of antibody mediated agglutination at the stratified interface. Antigen:antibody reactions involving agglutination potentiated by these devices are useful in blood typing, in crossmatching for blood transfusion, and in immunodiagnostic agglutination assays, for example.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2015Publication date: July 21, 2016Inventors: C. Frederick Battrell, Diane Wierzbicki, John Clemmens, Jason Capodanno, John R. Williford, Carolina Elmufdi, Isaac Sprague
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Patent number: 9146246Abstract: Microfluidic cartridges for agglutination reactions are provided. The cartridges include a microfluidic reaction channel with at least two intake channels, one for an antigen-containing fluid and the other for an antibody-containing fluid, conjoined to a reaction channel modified by incorporation of a downstream flow control channel. At low Reynolds Number, the two input streams layer one on top of the other in the reaction channel and form a flowing, unmixed horizontally-stratified laminar fluid diffusion (HLFD) interface for an extended duration of reaction. Surprisingly, the design, surface properties, and flow regime of microfluidic circuits of the present invention potentiate detection of antibody mediated agglutination at the stratified interface. Antigen:antibody reactions involving agglutination potentiated by these devices are useful in blood typing, in crossmatching for blood transfusion, and in immunodiagnostic agglutination assays, for example.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2012Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: C. Frederick Battrell, Diane Wierzbicki, John Clemmens, Jason Capodanno, John R. Williford, Carolina Elmufdi, Isaac Sprague
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Publication number: 20150158026Abstract: Microfluidic methods and devices for heterogeneous binding and agglutination assays are disclosed, with improvements relating to mixing and to reagent and sample manipulation in systems designed for safe handling of clinical test samples.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2015Publication date: June 11, 2015Inventors: C. Frederick Battrell, John Gerdes, Stephen Mordue, Jason Capodanno, Denise Maxine Hoekstra, John R. Williford, John Clemmens
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Publication number: 20150152481Abstract: Manufacturing methods and compositions are described for production of self-contained microfluidic cartridge devices with on-board reagents for molecular biological testing. Sensitive reagents are stored in dry form without lyophilization or freezing, and reconstituted at the point of use with either a biological sample or a sample eluate at the point of use. Manufacturing methods include sheet and roll fabrication processes where the reagents are printed in place and sealed within individual microfluidic cartridges before gel vitrification.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2014Publication date: June 4, 2015Inventors: C. Frederick Battrell, Denise Maxine Hoekstra, Joan Haab, John R. Williford, Sabrina N. Gates, Elizabeth R. Leber, Isaac Sprague
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Patent number: 8921085Abstract: Manufacturing methods and compositions are described for production of self-contained microfluidic cartridge devices with on-board reagents for molecular biological testing. Sensitive reagents are stored in dry form without lyophilization or freezing, and reconstituted at the point of use with either a biological sample or a sample eluate at the point of use. Manufacturing methods include sheet and roll fabrication processes where the reagents are printed in place and sealed within individual microfluidic cartridges before gel vitrification.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2011Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: C. Frederick Battrell, Denise Maxine Hoekstra, Joan Haab, John R. Williford, Sabrina N. Gates, Elizabeth R. Leber, Isaac Sprague
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Patent number: 8835146Abstract: Formulations for dry storage of PCR reagents are described. These formulations find use in manufacture of self-contained microfluidic card devices for PCR clinical testing in which the reagents are reconstituted at the point of testing. In these cards, TAQ polymerase is stored “on-board” in vitrified dry form without lyophilization or freezing, and is reconstituted by either the sample or a sample eluate during the assay.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2011Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: C. Frederick Battrell, Denise Maxine Hoekstra, Joan Haab, John R. Williford
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Patent number: 8772017Abstract: Integrated microfluidic cartridges for nucleic acid extraction, amplification, and detection from clinical samples are disclosed. The devices are single-entry, sanitary, and disposable. The devices enable simplex or multiplex nucleic acid target detection, as for example: assay panels for multiple infectious agents, or assay panels for cancerous cell types. Methods for use of microfluidic cartridges in a fully automated, pneumatically controlled apparatus are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2012Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: C. Frederick Battrell, John Gerdes, John R. Williford, Denise Maxine Hoekstra, Wayne L. Breidford, Stephen Mordue, John Clemmens, Melud Nabavi, Mark Kokoris
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Publication number: 20120329142Abstract: Integrated microfluidic cartridges for nucleic acid extraction, amplification, and detection from clinical samples are disclosed. The devices are single-entry, sanitary, and disposable. The devices enable simplex or multiplex nucleic acid target detection, as for example: assay panels for multiple infectious agents, or assay panels for cancerous cell types. Methods for use of microfluidic cartridges in a fully automated, pneumatically controlled apparatus are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2012Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicant: MICRONICS, INC.Inventors: C. Frederick BATTRELL, John GERDES, John R. WILLIFORD, Denise Maxine HOEKSTRA, Wayne L. BREIDFORD, Stephen MORDUE, John CLEMMENS, Melud NABAVI, Mark KOKORIS
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Patent number: 8318439Abstract: Microfluidic cartridges for agglutination reactions are provided. The cartridges include a microfluidic reaction channel with at least two intake channels, one for an antigen-containing fluid and the other for an antibody-containing fluid, conjoined to a reaction channel modified by incorporation of a downstream flow control channel. At low Reynolds Number, the two input streams layer one on top of the other in the reaction channel and form a flowing, unmixed horizontally-stratified laminar fluid diffusion (HLFD) interface for an extended duration of reaction. Surprisingly, the design, surface properties, and flow regime of microfluidic circuits of the present invention potentiate detection of antibody mediated agglutination at the stratified interface. Antigen:antibody reactions involving agglutination potentiated by these devices are useful in blood typing, in crossmatching for blood transfusion, and in immunodiagnostic agglutination assays, for example.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2009Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: C. Frederick Battrell, Diane Wierzbicki, John Clemmens, Jason Capodanno, John R. Williford, Carolina Elmufdi, Isaac Sprague
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Patent number: 8222023Abstract: Integrated microfluidic cartridges for nucleic acid extraction, amplification, and detection from clinical samples are disclosed. The devices are single-entry, sanitary, and disposable. The devices enable simplex or multiplex nucleic acid target detection, as for example: assay panels for multiple infectious agents, or assay panels for cancerous cell types. Methods for use of microfluidic cartridges in a fully automated, pneumatically controlled apparatus are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2008Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: C. Frederick Battrell, John Gerdes, John R. Williford, Denise Maxine Hoekstra, Wayne L. Breidford, Stephen Mordue, John Clemmens, Melud Nabavi, Mark Kokoris
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Publication number: 20120164627Abstract: Microfluidic methods and devices for heterogeneous binding and agglutination assays are disclosed, with improvements relating to mixing and to reagent and sample manipulation in systems designed for safe handling of clinical test samples.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2012Publication date: June 28, 2012Applicant: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: C. Frederick Battrell, John Gerdes, Stephen Mordue, Jason Capodanno, Denise Maxine Hoekstra, John R. Williford, John Clemmens
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Publication number: 20120156750Abstract: Manufacturing methods and compositions are described for production of self-contained microfluidic cartridge devices with on-board reagents for molecular biological testing. Sensitive reagents are stored in dry form without lyophilization or freezing, and reconstituted at the point of use with either a biological sample or a sample eluate at the point of use. Manufacturing methods include sheet and roll fabrication processes where the reagents are printed in place and sealed within individual microfluidic cartridges before gel vitrification.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2011Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: C. Frederick Battrell, Denise Maxine Hoekstra, Joan Haab, John R. Williford, Sabrina N. Gates, Elizabeth R. Leber, Isaac Sprague
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Publication number: 20120142070Abstract: Formulations for dry storage of PCR reagents are described. These formulations find use in manufacture of self-contained microfluidic card devices for PCR clinical testing in which the reagents are reconstituted at the point of testing. In these cards, TAQ polymerase is stored “on-board” in vitrified dry form without lyophilization or freezing, and is reconstituted by either the sample or a sample eluate during the assay.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2011Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: C. Frederick Battrell, Denise Maxine Hoekstra, Joan Haab, John R. Williford
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Patent number: 8110392Abstract: Microfluidic methods and devices for heterogeneous binding and agglutination assays are disclosed, with improvements relating to mixing and to reagent and sample manipulation in systems designed for safe handling of clinical test samples.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2008Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: C Frederick Battrell, John Gerdes, Stephen Mordue, Jason Capodanno, Denise Maxine Hoekstra, John R Williford, John Clemmens
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Publication number: 20100112723Abstract: Microfluidic cartridges for agglutination reactions are provided. The cartridges include a microfluidic reaction channel with at least two intake channels, one for an antigen-containing fluid and the other for an antibody-containing fluid, conjoined to a reaction channel modified by incorporation of a downstream flow control channel. At low Reynolds Number, the two input streams layer one on top of the other in the reaction channel and form a flowing, unmixed horizontally-stratified laminar fluid diffusion (HLFD) interface for an extended duration of reaction. Surprisingly, the design, surface properties, and flow regime of microfluidic circuits of the present invention potentiate detection of antibody mediated agglutination at the stratified interface. Antigen:antibody reactions involving agglutination potentiated by these devices are useful in blood typing, in crossmatching for blood transfusion, and in immunodiagnostic agglutination assays, for example.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2009Publication date: May 6, 2010Applicant: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: C. Frederick Battrell, Diane Wierzbicki, John Clemmens, Jason Capodanno, John R. Williford, Carolina Elmufdi, Isaac Sprague
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Publication number: 20090325276Abstract: Combinations of microfluidic diagnostic testing modules for simultaneous evaluations of serological and molecular biological targets are provided, and include panel testing for both antibodies (or antigens) and nucleic acid targets in one single-use device. These improvements are directed to evaluating the overall progress and activity of a pathogenic process in real time, at the point of care, not merely the presence or absence of a particular diagnostic marker, which can often be incomplete or misleading.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2009Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: C. Frederick Battrell, John Gerdes, Wayne L. Breidford, Jason Capodanno, Stephen Mordue, John Clemmens, Denise Maxine Hoekstra, Christy A. Lancaster, John R. Williford, Patrick Maloney, Joan Haab
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Publication number: 20090181411Abstract: Microfluidic methods and devices for heterogeneous binding and agglutination assays are disclosed, with improvements relating to mixing and to reagent and sample manipulation in systems designed for safe handling of clinical test samples.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2008Publication date: July 16, 2009Applicant: Micronics, Inc.Inventors: C. Frederick Battrell, John Gerdes, Stephen Mordue, Jason Capodanno, Denise Maxine Hoekstra, John R. Williford, John Clemmens