Patents by Inventor Jonathan W. Larson

Jonathan W. Larson 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: 11154865
    Abstract: In the invention described here, the conventional need for feedback control is eliminated by a passive, open-loop approach using a novel microfluidic droplet generator with a step enhancement. The invented droplet generator yields uniform droplet volumes over a wide range of operating pressures, delivering robust performance at a very low cost. The invention also describes a method of droplet generation whereby the step enhancement improves the performance of any squeeze-mode or dripping-mode droplet generator, including but not limited to bridge-mode and flow-focusing configurations. The performance of the invention is sufficiently stable that it can be operated manually yet still deliver best-in-class microfluidic performance. Thus, not only does the invention greatly simplify and reduce the cost of operation in the laboratory, it opens the possibility of performing precision biology out in the field and off of the electrical grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Lariat Biosciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan W. Larson, Alexandra Damiano
  • Publication number: 20190390259
    Abstract: Compositions for detecting, diagnosing and prognosing cancer in individuals having or suspected of having cancer are provided. Said compositions are used to enrich a nucleic acid target comprising a locus of genetic variation, e.g., single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) and variable mutations, such as small insertions, deletions, and replacements (“indels”) within a sample for ease and improved detection. In addition, kits are provided for measuring levels or the presence of SNPs and indels associated with cancer for detecting, diagnosing and prognosing cancer. Furthermore, methods are provided for detecting, diagnosing and prognosing cancer in individuals having or suspected of having cancer comprising determining the enrichment levels and/or presence or absence of the SNPs and indels in a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventor: Jonathan W. Larson
  • Publication number: 20190217299
    Abstract: In the invention described here, the conventional need for feedback control is eliminated by a passive, open-loop approach using a novel microfluidic droplet generator with a step enhancement. The invented droplet generator yields uniform droplet volumes over a wide range of operating pressures, delivering robust performance at a very low cost. The invention also describes a method of droplet generation whereby the step enhancement improves the performance of any squeeze-mode or dripping-mode droplet generator, including but not limited to bridge-mode and flow-focusing configurations. The performance of the invention is sufficiently stable that it can be operated manually yet still deliver best-in-class microfluidic performance. Thus, not only does the invention greatly simplify and reduce the cost of operation in the laboratory, it opens the possibility of performing precision biology out in the field and off of the electrical grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Jonathan W. Larson, Alexandria Damiano
  • Patent number: 10105702
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for generating, manipulating, and measuring fluidic droplets in mixed phase systems based on establishing transient continuities between otherwise spatially separated phases. In certain methods of the invention, electrodes in contact with the continuous phases allow electrical monitoring of continuity or proximity of separated phases as a means to characterize droplets. In other methods of the invention, fluidic continuity provides a means for generating droplets, injecting or extracting the contents of droplets, and sorting droplets. Chemical techniques are also provided that use these droplet-based methods, or others, to quantify and identify nucleic acids through incorporation into hydrogel particles. The nucleic acids are entrapped either actively by chemical incorporation during gel polymerization or passively by chain entanglement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Lariat Biosciences, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan W. Larson
  • Publication number: 20160136643
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for generating, manipulating, and measuring fluidic droplets in mixed phase systems based on establishing transient continuities between otherwise spatially separated phases. In certain methods of the invention, electrodes in contact with the continuous phases allow electrical monitoring of continuity or proximity of separated phases as a means to characterize droplets. In other methods of the invention, fluidic continuity provides a means for generating droplets, injecting or extracting the contents of droplets, and sorting droplets. Chemical techniques are also provided that use these droplet-based methods, or others, to quantify and identify nucleic acids through incorporation into hydrogel particles. The nucleic acids are entrapped either actively by chemical incorporation during gel polymerization or passively by chain entanglement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventor: Jonathan W. Larson
  • Publication number: 20130000738
    Abstract: A method of controlling the concentration of a sample flowing through a microchannel is provided. The method includes flowing a sample carrier fluid from a sample carrier channel and into an upstream portion of a microchannel such that the sample carrier fluid flows from the upstream portion and toward a downstream portion of the microchannel, and flowing a sheathing fluid from a sheathing fluid channel and into the upstream portion of the microchannel such that the sheathing fluid flows from the upstream portion and toward the downstream portion of the microchannel, and generally parallel to the sample carrier fluid. The method further includes detecting a concentration of a sample in the sample carrier fluid in the downstream portion of the microchannel, and adjusting a flow rate of at least one of the sample carrier fluid and the sheathing fluid based upon the detected concentration of the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: PathoGenetix, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Krogmeier, Robert H. Meltzer, Jonathan W. Larson
  • Publication number: 20100294665
    Abstract: A system for transferring and/or concentrating a sample is provided. The system includes a chamber with a membrane brave positioned within the chamber. An electrode assembly is configured to create an electric field across the membrane to move a charged sample through the chamber such that the sample collects and may concentrate on the membrane. The system may include a plurality of membranes. The system may also include a plurality of microchannels outwardly extending from the channel, where the membrane extends along the plurality of microchannels. Aspects of the invention are also directed to a pipette which may be used to transfer and concentrate a sample on a membrane. Certain embodiments are directed to methods and systems for concentrating a nucleic acid sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Richard Allen, Randall E. Burton, Bryan Crane, Jeffrey R. Krogmeier, Jonathan W. Larson, Vyacheslav Papkov, Nicaulas Sabourin, Qun Zhong, Yi Zhou
  • Patent number: 7262859
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and systems for detecting and or analyzing an agent in a sample with a chip having optical components incorporated therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: U.S. Genomics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan W. Larson, Gregory R. Yantz, George Seward, David Johnson, Jeffrey R. Krogmeier