Patents by Inventor Joseph F. Covington

Joseph F. Covington 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: 7261812
    Abstract: Chromatographic separation devices include multiple batch-processed columns joined by a body structure and adapted to perform parallel analyses. Both slurry-packed and monolithic column embodiments are provided. One or more liquid-permeable frits of various types may be used to retain stationary phase material within columns. A fluidic distribution network may be used to distribute stationary phase material and/or mobile phase solvents to multiple columns. Separation devices, including microfluidic embodiments, may be fabricated with various materials including polymers. Multi-column fabrication and separation methods are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Nanostream, Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph D. Karp, Joseph F. Covington, Matthew M. Gregori, Steven E. Hobbs, Jeffrey A. Koehler, Stephen D. O'Connor, Paren P. Patel, Scott G. Beach
  • Patent number: 7214320
    Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing a plurality of samples in parallel include a plurality of liquid phase separation regions, a plurality of microfluidic storage regions, and a common mass spectrometer. Samples are separated in parallel in the separation regions to yield a plurality of output streams that are stored in the storage regions. The contents of each storage region, or at least a representative portion thereof, are sequentially discharged, ionized, and directed to the inlet of a mass spectrometer. In this manner, multiple separations are conducted in parallel with outputs provided serially to a common mass spectrometer without any loss of data. Microfluidic storage regions minimize diffusion between bands of separated samples. Portions of separated samples may be directed to fraction collectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Nanostream, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew M. Gregori, Joseph F. Covington, Steven E. Hobbs
  • Patent number: 6923907
    Abstract: Pressure-driven microfluidic separation devices, such as may be used for performing high performance liquid chromatography, are provided. Multiple separation columns may be defined in a single device and packed with stationary phase material retained by porous frits. One or more splitters may be provided to distribute slurry and/or mobile phase among multiple separation columns. In one embodiment, separation devices are substantially planar and fabricated with multiple device layers. Systems and methods employing slurry for packing separation devices are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Nanostream, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Hobbs, Matthew M. Gregori, Christoph D. Karp, Jeffrey A. Koehler, Paren P. Patel, Joseph F. Covington
  • Patent number: 6890093
    Abstract: Robust microfluidic mixing devices mix multiple fluid streams passively, without the use of moving parts. In one embodiment, these devices contain microfluidic channels that are formed in various layers of a three-dimensional structure. Mixing may be accomplished with various manipulations of fluid flow paths and/or contacts between fluid streams. In various embodiments, structures such as channel overlaps, slits, converging/diverging regions, turns, and/or apertures may be designed into a mixing device. Mixing devices may be rapidly constructed and prototyped using a stencil construction method in which channels are cut through the entire thickness of a material layer, although other construction methods including surface micromachining techniques may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Nanostream, Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph D. Karp, Joseph F. Covington
  • Patent number: 6848462
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a microfluidic device where first and second substantially flat platens are provided. Multiple substantially planar, substantially metal-free, adhesiveless polymer device layers, the device layers including a first cover layer, second cover layer, and at least one stencil layer defining a microfluidic channel penetrating through the entire thickness of the stencil layer also are provided. Each stencil layer is disposed between other device layers such that the channel is bounded laterally by a stencil layer, and bounded from above and below by surrounding device layers to define an upper channel surface and a lower channel surface. The device layers are stacked between the first platen and the second platen. The stacked device layers are controllably heated according to a heating profile adapted to form a substantially sealed adhesiveless microfluidic device wherein each upper channel surface remains distinct from its corresponding lower channel surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Nanostream, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Covington, Steven E. Hobbs, Jeffrey A. Koehler, Paren P. Patel, Marci Pezzuto, Mark S. Scheib
  • Patent number: 6812458
    Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting the output of multiple simultaneously operated chromatography columns and providing the outputs to a single mass spectrometer are provided. Such systems utilize predetermined lengths of microfluidic tubing that act as storage buffers for the substantially all of the output of each column, preserving all data and, because the storage buffers are microfluidic, there is minimal diffusion between sample bands and solvent and signal clarity is preserved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Nanostream, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew M. Gregori, Joseph F. Covington, Steven E. Hobbs
  • Publication number: 20040026617
    Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting the output of multiple simultaneously operated chromatography columns and providing the outputs to a single mass spectrometer are provided. Such systems utilize predetermined lengths of microfluidic tubing that act as storage buffers for the substantially all of the output of each column, preserving all data and, because the storage buffers are microfluidic, there is minimal diffusion between sample bands and solvent and signal clarity is preserved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: Nanostream, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew M. Gregori, Joseph F. Covington, Steven E. Hobbs
  • Publication number: 20030150806
    Abstract: Pressure-driven microfluidic separation devices, such as may be used for performing high performance liquid chromatography, are provided. Multiple separation columns may be defined in a single device and packed with stationary phase material retained by porous frits. One or more splitters may be provided to distribute slurry and/or mobile phase among multiple separation columns. In one embodiment, separation devices are substantially planar and fabricated with multiple device layers. Systems and methods employing slurry for packing separation devices are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Applicant: Nanostream, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven E. Hobbs, Matthew M. Gregori, Christoph D. Karp, Jeffrey A. Koehler, Paren P. Patel, Joseph F. Covington
  • Publication number: 20030106799
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a microfluidic device where first and second substantially flat platens are provided. Multiple substantially planar, substantially metal-free, adhesiveless polymer device layers, the device layers including a first cover layer, second cover layer, and at least one stencil layer defining a microfluidic channel penetrating through the entire thickness of the stencil layer also are provided. Each stencil layer is disposed between other device layers such that the channel is bounded laterally by a stencil layer, and bounded from above and below by surrounding device layers to define an upper channel surface and a lower channel surface. The device layers are stacked between the first platen and the second platen. The stacked device layers are controllably heated according to a heating profile adapted to form a substantially sealed adhesiveless microfluidic device wherein each upper channel surface remains distinct from its corresponding lower channel surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: Nanostream, Inc
    Inventors: Joseph F. Covington, Steven E. Hobbs, Jeffrey A. Koehler, Paren P. Patel, Marci Pezzuto, Mark S. Scheib