Patents by Inventor Kelvin J. Liu
Kelvin J. Liu 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).
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Patent number: 9637781Abstract: The present invention provides a PCR-free, multiplexed ligation assay for miRNA expression analysis that produces highly quantitative, 10-100 plex miRNA profiling in a single reaction. The inventive methods use a 2-step ligation assay to generate an array of miRNA specific ligation products that can be decoded and quantified by a size discrimination method such as gel electrophoresis or single molecule separation. One embodiment is a low-cost assay that can be performed using standard tools available in nearly all molecular biology laboratories. This assay requires nothing more than a gel apparatus and reader for detection. Other embodiments include use of magnetic beads and other size exclusion apparatus which give increasingly higher sensitivity, lower sample consumption, and reduced processing steps.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2013Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: The Johns Hopkins UniversityInventors: Tza-Huei Wang, Kelvin J. Liu, Yunke Song
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Patent number: 9284601Abstract: A microfluidic device for a confocal fluorescence detection system has an input channel defined by a body of the microfluidic device, a sample concentration section defined by the body of the microfluidic device and in fluid connection with the input channel, a mixing section defined by the body of the microfluidic device and in fluid connection with the concentration section, and a detection region that is at least partially transparent to illumination light of the confocal fluorescence detection system and at least partially transparent to fluorescent light when emitted from a sample under observation as the sample flows through the detection region.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: The Johns Hopkins UniversityInventors: Tza-Huei Wang, Kelvin J. Liu, Christopher M. Puleo, Tushar D. Rane
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Publication number: 20150031573Abstract: The present invention provides a PCR-free, multiplexed ligation assay for miRNA expression analysis that produces highly quantitative, 10-100 plex miRNA profiling in a single reaction. The inventive methods use a 2-step ligation assay to generate an array of miRNA specific ligation products that can be decoded and quantified by a size discrimination method such as gel electrophoresis or single molecule separation. One embodiment is a low-cost assay that can be performed using standard tools available in nearly all molecular biology laboratories. This assay requires nothing more than a gel apparatus and reader for detection. Other embodiments include use of magnetic beads and other size exclusion apparatus which give increasingly higher sensitivity, lower sample consumption, and reduced processing steps.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2013Publication date: January 29, 2015Inventors: Tza-Huei Wang, Kelvin J. Liu, Yunke Song
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Patent number: 8835110Abstract: The present invention relates, e.g., to a method for determining the size distribution of DNA molecules in a sample comprising cell-free nucleic acid, comprising labeling the DNA with a fluorescent dye in a stoichiometric manner, subjecting the DNA to molecular spectroscopy (e.g., cylindrical illumination confocal spectroscopy), analyzing suitable fluorescent burst parameters of the labeled DNA, and conducting single molecule DNA integrity analysis of the labeled DNA molecules in the sample. In one embodiment of the invention, the method is used as a diagnostic method for detecting cancer.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2009Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: The Johns Hopkins UniversityInventors: Tza-Huei Wang, Kelvin J. Liu, Ie-Ming Shih
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Publication number: 20140106462Abstract: A microfluidic device for a confocal fluorescence detection system has an input channel defined by a body of the microfluidic device, a sample concentration section defined by the body of the microfluidic device and in fluid connection with the input channel, a mixing section defined by the body of the microfluidic device and in fluid connection with the concentration section, and a detection region that is at least partially transparent to illumination light of the confocal fluorescence detection system and at least partially transparent to fluorescent light when emitted from a sample under observation as the sample flows through the detection region.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: The Johns Hopkins UniversityInventors: Jeff T. Wang, Kelvin J. Liu, Christopher M. Puleo, Tushar D. Rane
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Patent number: 8637301Abstract: A microfluidic device for a confocal fluorescence detection system has an input channel defined by a body of the microfluidic device, a sample concentration section defined by the body of the microfluidic device and in fluid connection with the input channel, a mixing section defined by the body of the microfluidic device and in fluid connection with the concentration section, and a detection region that is at least partially transparent to illumination light of the confocal fluorescence detection system and at least partially transparent to fluorescent light when emitted from a sample under observation as the sample flows through the detection region.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2010Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: The Johns Hopkins UniversityInventors: Jeff Tza-Huei Wang, Kelvin J. Liu, Christopher M. Puleo, Tushar D. Rane
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Patent number: 8248609Abstract: A cylindrical illumination confocal spectroscopy system has a fluidic device having a fluid channel defined therein, an objective lens unit arranged proximate the fluidic device, an illumination system in optical communication with the objective lens unit to provide light to illuminate a sample through the objective lens unit, and a detection system in optical communication with the objective lens unit to receive at least a portion of light that passes through the objective lens unit from the sample. The illumination system includes a beam-shaping lens unit constructed and arranged to provide a substantially planar illumination beam that subtends across, and is longer than, a lateral dimension of the fluid channel.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2009Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: The Johns Hopkins UniversityInventors: Tza-Huei Wang, Kelvin J. Liu
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Publication number: 20120135874Abstract: The present invention relates, e.g., to a method for detecting a nucleic acid molecule of interest in a sample comprising cell-free nucleic acids, comprising fluorescently labeling the nucleic acid molecule of interest, by specifically binding a fluorescently labeled nanosensor or probe to the nucleic acid of interest, or by enzymatically incorporating a fluorescent probe or dye into the nucleic acid of interest, illuminating the fluorescently labeled nucleic acid molecule, causing it to emit fluorescent light, and measuring the level of fluorescence by single molecule spectroscopy, wherein the detection of a fluorescent signal is indicative of the presence of the nucleic acid of interest in the sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2010Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicant: The Johns Hopkins UniversityInventors: Jeff Tza-Huei Wang, Kelvin J. Liu, Christopher M. Puleo
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Publication number: 20110287976Abstract: A microfluidic device for a confocal fluorescence detection system has an input channel defined by a body of the microfluidic device, a sample concentration section defined by the body of the microfluidic device and in fluid connection with the input channel, a mixing section defined by the body of the microfluidic device and in fluid connection with the concentration section, and a detection region that is at least partially transparent to illumination light of the confocal fluorescence detection system and at least partially transparent to fluorescent light when emitted from a sample under observation as the sample flows through the detection region.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2010Publication date: November 24, 2011Inventors: Jeff Tza-Huei Wang, Kelvin J. Liu, Christopher M. Puleo, Tushar D. Rane
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Publication number: 20110171741Abstract: The present invention relates, e.g., to a method for determining the size distribution of DNA molecules in a sample comprising cell-free nucleic acid, comprising labeling the DNA with a fluorescent dye in a stoichiometric manner, subjecting the DNA to molecular spectroscopy (e.g., cylindrical illumination confocal spectroscopy), analyzing suitable fluorescent burst parameters of the labeled DNA, and conducting single molecule DNA integrity analysis of the labeled DNA molecules in the sample. In one embodiment of the invention, the method is used as a diagnostic method for detecting cancer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2009Publication date: July 14, 2011Applicant: The Johns Hopkins UniversityInventors: Tza-Huei Wang, Kelvin J. Liu, Ie-Ming Shih
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Publication number: 20100118300Abstract: A cylindrical illumination confocal spectroscopy system has a fluidic device having a fluid channel defined therein, an objective lens unit arranged proximate the fluidic device, an illumination system in optical communication with the objective lens unit to provide light to illuminate a sample through the objective lens unit, and a detection system in optical communication with the objective lens unit to receive at least a portion of light that passes through the objective lens unit from the sample. The illumination system includes a beam-shaping lens unit constructed and arranged to provide a substantially planar illumination beam that subtends across, and is longer than, a lateral dimension of the fluid channel, the substantially planar illumination beam having a diffraction limited thickness in a direction substantially orthogonal to the lateral dimension of the fluid channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2009Publication date: May 13, 2010Applicant: The Johns Hopkins UniversityInventors: Tza-Huei Wang, Kelvin J. Liu
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Publication number: 20020115198Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for microfabricated sensors for use as resonant sensors. In one embodiment, an array of sensors is formed by having an electrically common membrane, an insulative spacer and a base including a driving element. Optionally, electrostatic drive forces cause the membrane to resonate, and a binding event is detected. Detection may be capacitive, piezoelectrical, piezoresistive or optical. Optional vents permit equilibration to atmosphere. Detection circuitry including phase lock loop circuitry or tunable oscillator circuitry may be utilized. High throughput screening, such as for drug discovery can be achieved.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2001Publication date: August 22, 2002Inventors: Michael I. Nerenberg, Kelvin J. Liu