Patents by Inventor Kak Namkoong

Kak Namkoong 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).

  • Publication number: 20100221728
    Abstract: Provided is a method for quantifying an initial concentration of a nucleic acid from a real-time nucleic acid amplification data. Nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) extracted from organism or virus is amplified using an enzyme. Then, the initial concentration of the nucleic acid is found by calculating the characteristic amplification cycle number or the characteristic amplification time at which the fluorescence intensity of the nucleic acid subtracted by the background fluorescence intensity of the nucleic acid has half of its maximum value, or the characteristic amplification cycle number or the characteristic amplification time at which the amplification efficiency has the maximum or the minimum value, or the prior-to-amplification fluorescence intensity of the nucleic acid subtracted by the background fluorescence intensity of the nucleic acid. Accordingly, the initial concentration of the nucleic acid can be calculated without differentiation or integration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kak Namkoong, Jin-tae Kim, Young-sun Lee, Young-a Kim
  • Patent number: 7767439
    Abstract: A real time polymerase chain reaction (“PCR”) monitoring apparatus includes, a microchip-type PCR tube that has a PCR solution-containing PCR chamber, a micro-heater, a detection unit detecting a PCR product signal based on the PCR solution, a plurality of modules, each of which includes the abovementioned elements in addition to a cooling fan and a control unit controlling the micro-heater and the cooling fan to adjust the temperature of the PCR chamber, a base instrument that comprises a power supply unit connected to the modules and a data communication unit connected to the control unit of each of the modules, and a display unit displaying data from the data communication unit, wherein the control unit of each of the modules independently controls at least one of both the detection unit and the temperature of the PCR chamber of the PCR tube in each of the modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang-wook Oh, Jin-tae Kim, Kak Namkoong, Chin-sung Park
  • Publication number: 20100186839
    Abstract: A microfluidic valve unit for controlling the flow of fluid flowing along a channel, and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The valve unit includes a channel formed in a platform; a valve filler which includes a phase transition material that is disposed in the channel in a solid state at room temperature to close the channel and is melted when energy is applied thereto; and at least one capillary channel which extends from a sidewall of the channel and into which the valve filler flows when the valve filler is melted, wherein the at least one capillary channel has a cross-sectional area which is less than a cross-sectional area of the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kak NAMKOONG, Won-seok CHUNG, Joon-ho KIM, Kyu-youn HWANG, Hee-kyun LIM
  • Patent number: 7754452
    Abstract: Provided are a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) module and a PCR system including the same. The PCR module includes: a detachable PCR chip including a PCR chamber unit in which a PCR solution is accommodated; a heater unit for heating the PCR solution in the PCR chip with a preset temperature; a detecting unit for detecting a PCR signal of the PCR solution; a PCR chip installation unit for mounting/detaching the PCR chip using a one-touch method, in which the heater unit is adhered to the PCR chip with a predetermined pressure when mounting the PCR chip and the heater unit is separated from the PCR chip when detaching the PCR chip; and a housing covering at least the heater unit and the detecting unit so that they are not exposed to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-tae Kim, Kak Namkoong, Kwang-wook Oh, Chin-sung Park, Yu-jin Seo
  • Patent number: 7736050
    Abstract: Provided is a fluid mixing device which produces a series of solutions with a concentration gradient. The fluid mixing device includes: a plurality of first channels disposed parallel to each other on a layer, and into which an equal amount of diluent flows from its upstream; a plurality of second channels formed perpendicular to the first channels on an adjacent layer to the layer on which the first channels are formed, and into which an equal amount of sample solution flows from its upstream; and via holes formed at at least one intersection between each of the first channel and a plurality of second channels so that a predetermined amount of sample solution flows from the second channels into corresponding first channels, wherein a series of solutions with different concentrations is produced in the first channels depending on the amount of sample solution that flows into the first channels through the via holes. Thus, a series of solutions with different concentrations is output from the first channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chin-sung Park, Joon-ho Kim, Kak Namkoong, Kwang-wook Oh
  • Patent number: 7727136
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for centrifugally separating particles by both weight and size include a rotating drum rotating about a second rotating axis disposed perpendicularly to a first rotating axis, and includes an inlet, at least one rotating plate and an outlet. The inlet injects a test material. The rotating plate extends radially outward toward an inner surface of the rotating drum from the second rotating axis and has one or more configurations of protruded and recessed portions formed on a surface thereof. The rotating plate receives the test material on a surface thereof. The outlet discharges separated test material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-rok Kim, Kak Namkoong, Jun-hong Min
  • Publication number: 20100130732
    Abstract: A system for processing a target material includes; a cartridge which stores a material which reacts with the target material, and may include at least one chamber and at least one valve connected to the at least one chamber, a first module which may be loaded with the at least one cartridge and may rotate, a second module which may selectively open or close the at least one valve, a third module which may selectively control the temperature of the at least one chamber, and a control module which may control the first module, the second module and the third module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Won Seok CHUNG, Kak NAMKOONG, JOONHO KIM, KYUYOUN HWANG, HEEKYUN LIM
  • Publication number: 20100117004
    Abstract: A surface acoustic wave (“SAW”) device including a SAW element, a first material, a luminescence material and a light source, and a method for signal amplification of a SAW element. The first material may be positioned on the SAW element and bound to a target material in a sample. The luminescence material may be bound to the target material. The light source may apply light to the luminescence material. The SAW device and the method for signal amplification of a SAW element using the same allow amplification of a signal of the SAW element by an electromagnetic wave generated when light is applied to the luminescence material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hun Joo LEE, Soosuk LEE, Kak NAMKOONG, Chinsung PARK, Kieun KIM
  • Patent number: 7698072
    Abstract: Provided is a method for quantifying an initial concentration of a nucleic acid from a real-time nucleic acid amplification data. Nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) extracted from organism or virus is amplified using an enzyme. Then, the initial concentration of the nucleic acid is found by calculating the characteristic amplification cycle number or the characteristic amplification time at which the fluorescence intensity of the nucleic acid subtracted by the background fluorescence intensity of the nucleic acid has half of its maximum value, or the characteristic amplification cycle number or the characteristic amplification time at which the amplification efficiency has the maximum or the minimum value, or the prior-to-amplification fluorescence intensity of the nucleic acid subtracted by the background fluorescence intensity of the nucleic acid. Accordingly, the initial concentration of the nucleic acid can be calculated without differentiation or integration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kak Namkoong, Jin-tae Kim, Young-sun Lee, Young-a Kim
  • Publication number: 20100021972
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for amplifying nucleic acids. The method includes introducing into a reaction vessel via different inlet channels a reactant aqueous solution containing reactants for nucleic acid amplification and a fluid that is phase-separated from the reactant aqueous solution and does not participate in amplification reaction, creating a plurality of reactant aqueous solution droplets surrounded by the fluid by contacting the reactant aqueous solution with the fluid in the reaction vessel, and amplifying the nucleic acids in the reactant aqueous solution droplets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoon-kyoung Cho, Joon-ho Kim, Kak Namkoong, Geun-bae Lim, Jun-hong Min
  • Publication number: 20100015695
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for amplifying nucleic acids. The method includes introducing into a reaction vessel via different inlet channels a reactant aqueous solution containing reactants for nucleic acid amplification and a fluid that is phase-separated from the reactant aqueous solution and does not participate in amplification reaction, creating a plurality of reactant aqueous solution droplets surrounded by the fluid by contacting the reactant aqueous solution with the fluid in the reaction vessel, and amplifying the nucleic acids in the reactant aqueous solution droplets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoon-kyoung CHO, Joon-ho KIM, Kak NAMKOONG, Geun-bae LIM, Jun-hong Min
  • Patent number: 7645223
    Abstract: A handheld centrifuge includes an inertia body having an axle and a pair of inertia wheels coupled to the axle. The inertia wheels are coupled to the axle in substantially perpendicular direction to the axle, and spaced apart from each other. A string is connected to the axle. At least one closed vessel is detachably installed on an outer face of the inertia wheel to contain a substance to be centrifuged. The closed vessel is installed in substantially radial direction of the inertia wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kak Namkoong, Young-sun Lee, Kwang-wook Oh, Christopher Hansung Ko, Jung-Im Han
  • Patent number: 7641858
    Abstract: An apparatus introducing a fluid using a centrifugal force includes an introduction member including a chip receiver and a fluid introduction reservoir, the chip receiver receiving a first part of a microfluidic chip, the first part including an inlet, the fluid introduction reservoir storing a fluid to be introduced to the microfluidic chip, the fluid introduction reservoir having an exit formed to correspond to the inlet of the microfluidic chip received in the chip receiver, and a support member supporting a second part of the microfluidic chip, wherein the microfluidic chip is disposed between the introduction member and the support member, the apparatus is rotatable in a state where the introduction member is closer to a center of rotation than the microfluidic chip, and the fluid is introducible from the fluid introduction reservoir through the inlet into the microfluidic chip due to a centrifugal force generated by rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-rok Kim, Jun-hong Min, Kak Namkoong, Kwang-ho Cheong, Chang-eun Yoo, Ki-woong Han, Ki-eun Kim
  • Patent number: 7579172
    Abstract: An apparatus for amplifying nucleic acids includes a substrate, a reaction vessel formed inside of the substrate, at least one first inlet channel formed inside the substrate, connected to an end of the reaction vessel, and allowing introduction of a reactant aqueous solution containing reactants for nucleic acid amplification into the reaction vessel, a second inlet channel formed inside the substrate, connected to the end of the reaction vessel, and allowing introduction of a fluid that is phase-separated from the reactant aqueous solution and does not participate in amplification reaction into the reaction vessel, and a heating unit installed on the substrate in such a way to thermally contact with the substrate and heating the substrate, wherein the reactant aqueous solution contacts the fluid to create a plurality of droplets surrounded by the fluid in the reaction vessel and the nucleic acids are amplified in the reactant aqueous solution droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoon-kyoung Cho, Joon-ho Kim, Kak Namkoong, Geun-bae Lim, Jun-hong Min
  • Patent number: 7579151
    Abstract: Provided is a method of isolating and purifying biomolecules using a hydrogel, the method including: bring a sample containing charged biomolecules into contact with a hydrogel to bind the biomolecules to the hydrogel; washing the hydrogel bound with the biomolecules; and eluting the bound biomolecules using an elution solvent. According to the method, the use of a hydrogel with a large surface area reduces the isolation time of biomolecules to 5 min or less, an external device such as an electromagnet is not required, and small-sized systems or LOC can be easily implemented due to applicability to microsystems through a polymer patterning technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-sun Lee, Jung-im Han, Hyo-yeon Lee, Kak Namkoong, Kwang-wook Oh
  • Publication number: 20090170189
    Abstract: Provided are a microfluidic device that performs a biochemical reaction using a small amount of a biochemical fluid and detects the result thereof, and a method of fabricating the same. The microfluidic device includes: a substrate which comprises a chamber that is formed as a concave groove and accommodates a fluid in the bottom surface of the substrate, and is formed of polymer; and a film welded on the bottom surface of the substrate to seal the chamber so that the chamber is not open at the bottom surface of the substrate, and formed of polymer. The method of fabricating a microfluidic device includes: preparing a substrate which comprises a chamber that is formed as a concave groove and accommodates a fluid in the bottom surface of the substrate, and is formed of polymer; and welding a film on a bottom surface of the substrate to seal the chamber so that the chamber is not opened at the bottom surface of the substrate, the film being formed of polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chin-sung PARK, Kak Namkoong, Young-sun Lee
  • Publication number: 20090170211
    Abstract: Provided are a sensing switch and a sensing method using the same. The sensing switch includes: a substrate; a supporter on the substrate; a sensing plate that is connected to a side of the supporter and is in parallel with the substrate by a predetermined distance; a receptor binding region on an upper surface of an end portion of the sensing plate; an electric or magnetic field generation device that induces deflection of the sensing plate when a receptor bound to the receptor binding region is selectively bound to an electrically or magnetically active ligand; and a pair of switching electrodes that are separated by a predetermined distance and is connected when the sensing plate contacts the substrate due to the deflection of the sensing plate. A target material need not be labelled, a signal processing of a fluorescent or electrical detection signal using an analysis apparatus is not required, and a signal can be directly decoded by confirming whether a current flows through the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyu-tae YOO, Joon-ho KIM, Jun-hong MIN, Sung-ouk JUNG, Ji-na NAMGOONG, Kui-hyun KIM, Jeo-young SHIM, Kak NAMKOONG
  • Publication number: 20090150085
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of determining an initial concentration of a target nucleic acid within a sample using real-time nucleic acid amplification data. Amplification efficiencies of the target nucleic acid with respect to amplification time are obtained from signals of amplified products, and an amplification efficiency function with respect to amplification time is formulated employing the amplification efficiencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kak Namkoong, Young-sun LEE, Chin-sung PARK, Joo-won RHEE
  • Publication number: 20090142798
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of selectively lysing non-viable cells from a cell population within a sample, the method including selectively lysing non-viable cells by mixing a cell-containing sample with a lysis buffer including a non-ionic surfactant and a divalent cation salt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-sun LEE, Myo-yong Lee, Soo-hyung Choi, Kak Namkoong, Chin-sung Park
  • Publication number: 20090122828
    Abstract: A method for identifying a biomolecule using a biomolecule detector having a field effect transistor (FET) is provided. The method comprises the steps of (a) heating a sample containing a biomolecule loaded in the detector to thereby elevate the temperature of the sample; (b) measuring electric current flowing through a channel formed between a source region and a drain region in the FET while raising the temperature in the step (a); (c) obtaining a transition temperature that is the temperature at maximum point of current variation from data measured in the step (b); and (d) identifying the biomolecule using the transition temperature obtained in the step (c).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Im HAN, Jeo Young SHIM, Won Seok CHUNG, Kak NAMKOONG