Patents by Inventor Karin Balss

Karin Balss 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: 20050258040
    Abstract: A method and device are provided for concentrating and separating materials in fluids within a fluidic device having a fluid conduit such as a channel or capillary. The concentration is achieved by balancing the electrophoretic velocity of a material against the bulk flow of fluid in the presence of a temperature gradient. An additive is added to the fluid which interacts with the material and which modifies the normal electrophoretic mobility of the material. Using an appropriate fluid, the temperature gradient can generate a corresponding gradient in the electrophoretic velocity so that the electrophoretic and bulk velocities sum to zero at a unique position along the conduit and the material will be focused at that position. The method and device may be adapted for use with a variety of materials including fluorescent dyes, amino acids, proteins, DNA and to concentrate a dilute material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Inventors: David Ross, Wyatt Vreeland, Karin Balss
  • Publication number: 20050145495
    Abstract: A method is provided for observing mixing interactions and reactions of two materials in a fluid. The method in one form provides for concentrating by balancing electrophoretic velocities of a material against the bulk flow of fluid in the presence of a temperature gradient. Using an appropriate fluid, the temperature gradient can generate a corresponding gradient in the electrophoretic velocity of the material so that the electrophoretic and bulk velocities sum to zero at a unique position and the material will be focused at that position. A second material can then be introduced into the fluid and allowed to move through and interact with the focused band of the first material. Products of the interaction can then be detected as they are focused at a different position along the gradient. The method can be adapted to study the temperature dependence of the molecular interaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Inventors: David Ross, Michael Tarlov, Karin Balss