Patents by Inventor Keith J. Breinlinger

Keith J. Breinlinger 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: 20230384573
    Abstract: A system for operating an electrokinetic device includes a support configured to hold and operatively couple with the electrokinetic device, an integrated electrical signal generation subsystem configured to apply a biasing voltage across a pair of electrodes in the electrokinetic device, and a light modulating subsystem configured to emit structured light onto the electrokinetic device. The system can further include a thermally controlled flow controller, and/or be configured to measure impedance across the electrokinetic device. The system can be a light microscope, including an optical train. The system can further include a light pipe, which can be part of the light modulating system, and which can be configured to supply light of substantially uniform intensity to the light modulating system or directly to the optical train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew W. McFarland, Daniele Malleo, J. Tanner Nevill, Russell A. Newstrom, Keith J. Breinlinger, Paul M. Lundquist, Justin K. Valley, Jonathan Cloud Dragon Hubbard
  • Patent number: 11802264
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are described for the use of optically driven bubble, convective and displacing fluidic flow to provide motive force in microfluidic devices. Alternative motive modalities are useful to selectively dislodge and displace micro-objects, including biological cells, from a variety of locations within the enclosure of a microfluidic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: PHENOMEX INC.
    Inventors: Volker L. S. Kurz, Troy A. Lionberger, Eric K. Sackmann, Kai W. Szeto, Paul M. Lebel, Brandon R. Bruhn, Keith J. Breinlinger, Eric D. Hobbs, Andrew W. McFarland, J. Tanner Nevill, Xiaohua Wang
  • Publication number: 20230282313
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for performing a process on biological samples. An analysis of biological samples in multiple regions of interest in a microfluidic device and a timeline correlated with the analysis may be identified. One or more region-of-interest types for the multiple regions of interest may be determined; and multiple characteristics may be determined for the biological samples based at least in part upon the one or more region-of-interest types. Associated data that respectively correspond to the multiple regions of interest in a user interface for at least a portion of the biological samples in the user interface based at least in part upon the multiple identifiers and the timeline. A count of the biological samples in a region of interest may be determined based at least in part upon a class or type of data using a convolutional neural network (CNN).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2022
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: BERKELEY LIGHTS, INC.
    Inventors: Darshan Thaker, Keith J. Breinlinger, Vincent Haw Tien Pai, Christoph Andreas Neyer, Thomas M. Vetterli, Hayley M. Bennett, Elisabeth Marie Walczak, Alexander Gerald Olson, Wesley Arthur Zink, John A. Tenney, Oleksandr Tokmakov, Igor Fastnacht, Yuriy Nicheporuk, Andriy Koval, Khrystyna Andres, Alona Kostenko
  • Publication number: 20230105220
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for performing a process on biological samples. An analysis of biological samples in multiple regions of interest in a microfluidic device and a timeline correlated with the analysis may be identified. One or more region-of-interest types for the multiple regions of interest may be determined; and multiple characteristics may be determined for the biological samples based at least in part upon the one or more region-of-interest types. Associated data that respectively correspond to the multiple regions of interest in a user interface for at least a portion of the biological samples in the user interface based at least in part upon the multiple identifiers and the timeline. A count of the biological samples in a region of interest may be determined based at least in part upon a class or type of data using a convolutional neural network (CNN).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: BERKELEY LIGHTS, INC.
    Inventors: Darshan Thaker, Keith J. Breinlinger, Vincent Haw Tien Pai, Christoph Andreas Neyer, Thomas M. Vetterli, Hayley M. Bennett, Elisabeth Marie Walczak, Alexander Gerald Olson, Wesley Arthur Zink, John A. Tenney, Oleksandr Tokmakov, Igor Fastnacht, Yuriy Nicheporuk, Andriy Koval, Khrystyna Andres, Alona Kostenko
  • Publication number: 20220401954
    Abstract: Systems for operating a microfluidic device are described. The systems comprise a first surface configured to interface and operatively couple with a microfluidic device and a lid configured to retain the microfluidic device on the first surface. The lid comprises a first portion having a first fluid port configured to operatively couple with and flow fluidic medium into and/or out of a first fluid inlet/outlet of the microfluidic device and a second portion having a second fluid port configured to operatively couple with and flow fluidic medium into and/or out of a second fluid inlet/outlet of the microfluidic device. The second portion of the lid is separable from the first portion and movable between a closed position in which the second fluid port of the second portion of the cover is operatively coupled with the second fluid inlet/outlet of the microfluidic device and an open position in which a portion of the microfluidic device that contains the second fluid inlet/outlet is exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Angel Navas Angeles, Johannes Paul Sluis, John A. Tenney, Yogesh Khemchandra Dhande, Patrick N. Ingram, Erin Chia-wei Hsi, Christopher C. Shing, John Junyeon Kim, Keith J. Breinlinger, Raziel Solomon Alon
  • Patent number: 11521709
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for performing a process on biological samples. An analysis of biological samples in multiple regions of interest in a microfluidic device and a timeline correlated with the analysis may be identified. One or more region-of-interest types for the multiple regions of interest may be determined; and multiple characteristics may be determined for the biological samples based at least in part upon the one or more region-of-interest types. Associated data that respectively correspond to the multiple regions of interest in a user interface for at least a portion of the biological samples in the user interface based at least in part upon the multiple identifiers and the timeline. A count of the biological samples in a region of interest may be determined based at least in part upon a class or type of data using a convolutional neural network (CNN).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Berkeley Lights Inc.
    Inventors: Darshan Thaker, Keith J. Breinlinger, Vincent Haw Tien Pai, Christoph Andreas Neyer, Thomas M. Vetterli, Hayley M. Bennett, Elisabeth Marie Walczak, Alexander Gerald Olson, Wesley Arthur Zink, John A. Tenney, Oleksandr Tokmakov, Igor Fastnacht, Yuriy Nicheporuk, Andriy Koval, Khrystyna Andres, Alona Kostenko
  • Publication number: 20220356429
    Abstract: Systems, methods and kits are described for culturing one or more biological cells in a microfluidic device, including provision of nutrients and gaseous components configured to enhance cell growth, viability, portability, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, culturing a single cell may produce a clonal population in the microfluidic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Randall D. LOWE, JR., Kristin G. BEAUMONT, Aathavan KARUNAKARAN, Natalie C. MARKS, Jason M. MCEWEN, Mark P. WHITE, J. Tanner NEVILL, Gang F. WANG, Andrew W. MCFARLAND, Daniele Malleo, Keith J. BREINLINGER, Xiao GUAN, Kevin T. CHAPMAN
  • Patent number: 11365381
    Abstract: Systems, methods and kits are described for culturing one or more biological cells in a microfluidic device, including provision of nutrients and gaseous components configured to enhance cell growth, viability, portability, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, culturing a single cell may produce a clonal population in the microfluidic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Berkeley Lights, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall D. Lowe, Jr., Kristin G. Beaumont, Aathavan Karunakaran, Natalie C. Marks, Jason M. McEwen, Mark P. White, J. Tanner Nevill, Gang F. Wang, Andrew W. McFarland, Daniele Malleo, Keith J. Breinlinger, Xiao Guan, Kevin T. Chapman
  • Publication number: 20220143612
    Abstract: A microfluidic apparatus is provided having one or more sequestration pens configured to isolate one or more target micro-objects by changing the orientation of the microfluidic apparatus with respect to a globally active force, such as gravity. Methods of selectively directing the movements of micro-objects in such a microfluidic apparatus using gravitational forces are also provided. The micro-objects can be biological micro-objects, such as cells, or inanimate micro-objects, such as beads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Keith J. Breinlinger, Eric D. Hobbs, Daniele Malleo, J. Tanner Nevill, Mark P. White
  • Patent number: 11192108
    Abstract: A microfluidic device can comprise a plurality of interconnected microfluidic elements. A plurality of actuators can be positioned abutting, immediately adjacent to, and/or attached to deformable surfaces of the microfluidic elements. The actuators can be selectively actuated and de-actuated to create directed flows of a fluidic medium in the microfluidic (or nanofluidic) device. Further, the actuators can be selectively actuated and de-actuated to create localized flows of a fluidic medium in the microfluidic device to move reagents and/or micro-objects in the microfluidic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Berkeley Lights, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith J. Breinlinger, Andrew W. McFarland, J. Tanner Nevill
  • Publication number: 20210339249
    Abstract: Microfluidic devices having a circuit substrate with a control unit, a switching mechanism associated with a dielectrophoresis (DEP) electrode, and a memory unit are described. Switching instructions may be received, stored, and retrieved by the control unit and used to control the DEP electrode via the switching mechanism. Systems comprising the described microfluidic devices and methods of controlling the described microfluidic devices are included herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Applicant: BERKELEY LIGHTS, INC.
    Inventors: Keith J. Breinlinger, Johannes Paul Sluis
  • Publication number: 20210272654
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for performing a process on biological samples. An analysis of biological samples in multiple regions of interest in a microfluidic device and a timeline correlated with the analysis may be identified. One or more region-of-interest types for the multiple regions of interest may be determined; and multiple characteristics may be determined for the biological samples based at least in part upon the one or more region-of-interest types. Associated data that respectively correspond to the multiple regions of interest in a user interface for at least a portion of the biological samples in the user interface based at least in part upon the multiple identifiers and the timeline. A count of the biological samples in a region of interest may be determined based at least in part upon a class or type of data using a convolutional neural network (CNN).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: BERKELEY LIGHTS, INC.
    Inventors: Darshan Thaker, Keith J. Breinlinger, Vincent Haw Tien Pai, Christoph Andreas Neyer, Thomas M. Vetterli, Hayley M. Bennett, Elisabeth Marie Walczak, Alexander Gerald Olson, Wesley Arthur Zink, John A. Tenney, Oleksandr Tokmakov, Igor Fastnacht, Yuriy Nicheporuk, Andriy Koval, Khrystyna Andres, Alona Kostenko
  • Patent number: 11097271
    Abstract: A microfluidic device can comprise a plurality of interconnected microfluidic elements. A plurality of actuators can be positioned abutting, immediately adjacent to, and/or attached to deformable surfaces of the microfluidic elements. The actuators can be selectively actuated and de-actuated to create directed flows of a fluidic medium in the microfluidic (or nanofluidic) device. Further, the actuators can be selectively actuated and de-actuated to create localized flows of a fluidic medium in the microfluidic device to move reagents and/or micro-objects in the microfluidic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Berkeley Lights, Inc
    Inventors: Keith J. Breinlinger, Andrew W. McFarland, J. Tanner Nevill
  • Publication number: 20210102150
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are described for the use of optically driven bubble, convective and displacing fluidic flow to provide motive force in microfluidic devices. Alternative motive modalities are useful to selectively dislodge and displace micro-objects, including biological cells, from a variety of locations within the enclosure of a microfluidic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Volker L.S. Kurz, Troy A. Lionberger, Eric K. Sackmann, Kai W. Szeto, Paul M. Lebel, Brandon R. Bruhn, Keith J. Breinlinger, Eric D. Hobbs, Andrew W. McFarland, J. Tanner Nevill, Xiaohua Wang
  • Publication number: 20210071124
    Abstract: Systems, methods and kits are described for culturing one or more biological cells in a microfluidic device, including provision of nutrients and gaseous components configured to enhance cell growth, viability, portability, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, culturing a single cell may produce a clonal population in the microfluidic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Randall D. LOWE, JR., Kristin G. BEAUMONT, Aathavan KARUNAKARAN, Natalie C. MARKS, Jason M. MCEWEN, Mark P. WHITE, J. Tanner NEVILL, Gang F. WANG, Andrew W. MCFARLAND, Daniele Malleo, Keith J. BREINLINGER, Xiao GUAN, Kevin T. CHAPMAN
  • Patent number: 10829728
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are described for the use of optically driven bubble, convective and displacing fluidic flow to provide motive force in microfluidic devices. Alternative motive modalities are useful to selectively dislodge and displace micro-objects, including biological cells, from a variety of locations within the enclosure of a microfluidic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Berkeley Lights, Inc.
    Inventors: Volker L. S. Kurz, Troy A. Lionberger, Eric K. Sackmann, Kai W. Szeto, Paul M. Lebel, Brandon R. Bruhn, Keith J. Breinlinger, Eric D. Hobbs, Andrew W. McFarland, J. Tanner Nevill, Xiaohua Wang
  • Patent number: 10821439
    Abstract: A microfluidic apparatus is provided having one or more sequestration pens configured to isolate one or more target micro-objects by changing the orientation of the microfluidic apparatus with respect to a globally active force, such as gravity. Methods of selectively directing the movements of micro-objects in such a microfluidic apparatus using gravitational forces are also provided. The micro-objects can be biological micro-objects, such as cells, or inanimate micro-objects, such as beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Berkeley Lights, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith J. Breinlinger, Eric D. Hobbs, Daniele Malleo, J. Tanner Nevill, Mark P. White
  • Patent number: D924908
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: BERKELEY LIGHTS, INC.
    Inventors: Pavan Ramkumar, Michael J. Stone, Keith J. Breinlinger
  • Patent number: D968444
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: BERKELEY LIGHTS, INC.
    Inventors: Pavan Ramkumar, Michael J. Stone, Keith J. Breinlinger
  • Patent number: D996465
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: BERKELEY LIGHTS, INC.
    Inventors: Pavan Ramkumar, Michael J. Stone, Keith J. Breinlinger