Patents by Inventor Joseph S. Plewa

Joseph S. Plewa 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).

  • Automated extraction and purification of samples using optical tweezers
    Publication number: 20110091932
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for purifying a forensic sample using an automated extraction and purification system includes optical tweezers; an input channel through which the sample is introduced; a chamber which receives the sample from the input channel; a collection channel through which selected particles of the sample are removed; and an output through which unselected particles of the sample are removed. At least one buffer input channel is provided. The input channel may allow sedimentation of the sample into the chamber by gravity. In another arrangement, the system includes an optical trapping system; a first channel through which the sample is introduced; a second channel through which buffer is introduced; wherein the optical tweezers are used to move selected particles of the sample from the first channel to the second channel. The selected particles may be sperm. The optical tweezers preferably utilize holographic optical trapping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: Arryx, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph S. Plewa, Evan B. Tanner, Daniel M. Mueth, Crystal J. Duke, Kevin J. Ehrenreich
  • Automated extraction and purification of samples using optical tweezers
    Patent number: 7875845
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for purifying a forensic sample using an automated extraction and purification system includes optical tweezers; an input channel through which the sample is introduced; a chamber which receives the sample from the input channel; a collection channel through which selected particles of the sample are removed; and an output through which unselected particles of the sample are removed. At least one buffer input channel is provided. The input channel may allow sedimentation of the sample into the chamber by gravity. In another arrangement, the system includes an optical trapping system; a first channel through which the sample is introduced; a second channel through which buffer is introduced; wherein the optical tweezers are used to move selected particles of the sample from the first channel to the second channel. The selected particles may be sperm. The optical tweezers preferably utilize holographic optical trapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Arryx, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph S. Plewa, Evan B. Tanner, Daniel M. Mueth, Crystal J. Duke, Kevin J. Ehrenreich
  • System and method of sorting materials using holographic laser steering
    Patent number: 7241988
    Abstract: The present invention employs a beam steering apparatus to isolate valuable cells from other cells, tissues, and contaminants. In one embodiment, the system balances optical trapping against biasing flow to parallelize cell sorting under the flexible control of computer program-directed traps which differentially manipulate cells based on their composition or labels to direct separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Arryx, Inc.
    Inventors: Lewis Gruber, Kenneth Bradley, Ward Lopes, Robert W. Lancelot, Joseph S. Plewa, David G. Grier
  • System and method of sorting materials using holographic laser steering
    Publication number: 20040089798
    Abstract: The present invention employs a beam steering apparatus to isolate valuable cells from other cells, tissues, and contaminants. In one embodiment, the system balances optical trapping against biasing flow to parallelize cell sorting under the flexible control of computer program-directed traps which differentially manipulate cells based on their composition or labels to direct separation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Lewis Gruber, Kenneth Bradley, Ward Lopes, Robert W. Lancelot, Joseph S. Plewa, David G. Grier