Patents by Inventor Kevin E. Shields
Kevin E. Shields 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: 11898954Abstract: A MEMS-based particle manipulation system which uses a particle manipulation stage and optical confirmation of the manipulation. The optical confirmation may be camera-based, and may be used to assess the effectiveness or accuracy of the particle manipulation stage. In one exemplary embodiment, the particle manipulation stage is a microfabricated, fluid valve, which sorts a target particle from non-target particles in a fluid stream. The optical confirmation stage is disposed in the microfabricated fluid channels at the input and output of the microfabricated sorting valve. Deep learning techniques are brought to bear on the camera output to increase speed, accuracy and reliability.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2019Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Owl biomedical, Inc.Inventors: John S. Foster, Mark A. Naivar, Kevin E. Shields, Daryl W. Grummitt, Lily Li, Yareeve Zemel
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Publication number: 20220260480Abstract: A MEMS-based particle manipulation system which uses a particle manipulation stage and optical confirmation of the manipulation. The optical confirmation may be camera-based, and may be used to assess the effectiveness or accuracy of the particle manipulation stage. In one exemplary embodiment, the particle manipulation stage is a microfabricated, fluid valve, which sorts a target particle from non-target particles in a fluid stream. The optical confirmation stage is disposed in the microfabricated fluid channels at the input and output of the microfabricated sorting valve. Deep learning techniques are brought to bear on the camera output to increase speed, accuracy and reliability.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2022Publication date: August 18, 2022Inventors: John S. Foster, Mark A. Naivar, Kevin E. Shields, Daryl W. Grummitt, Timothy J. Wilt, Yareeve Zemel, Lily Li
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Publication number: 20190360915Abstract: A MEMS-based particle manipulation system which uses a particle manipulation stage and optical confirmation of the manipulation. The optical confirmation may be camera-based, and may be used to assess the effectiveness or accuracy of the particle manipulation stage. In one exemplary embodiment, the particle manipulation stage is a microfabricated, fluid valve, which sorts a target particle from non-target particles in a fluid stream. The optical confirmation stage is disposed in the microfabricated fluid channels at the input and output of the microfabricated sorting valve. Deep learning techniques are brought to bear on the camera output to increase speed, accuracy and reliability.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2019Publication date: November 28, 2019Applicant: Owl biomedical, Inc.Inventors: John S. FOSTER, Mark A. NAIVAR, Kevin E. SHIELDS, Daryl W. GRUMMITT, Lily LI, Daryl W. GRUMMITT, Yareeve ZEMEL
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Patent number: 10379030Abstract: A MEMS-based particle manipulation system which uses a particle manipulation stage and optical confirmation of the manipulation. The optical confirmation may be camera-based, and may be used to assess the effectiveness or accuracy of the particle manipulation stage. In one exemplary embodiment, the particle manipulation stage is a microfabricated, fluid valve, which sorts a target particle from non-target particles in a fluid stream. The optical confirmation stage is disposed in the microfabricated fluid channels at the input and output of the microfabricated sorting valve. The laser interrogation regions may be used to assess the effectiveness or accuracy of the sorting, and to control or adjust sort parameters during the sorting process.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2016Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: Owl biomedical, Inc.Inventors: John S Foster, Kevin E. Shields, Mehran R. Hoonejani, Mark A. Naivar, Yareeve Zemel
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Publication number: 20190143329Abstract: A particle manipulation system uses a MEMS-based, microfabricated particle manipulation device which may be used to separate a target particle from non-target material in a sample stream. In order to improve the sorter speed, accuracy or yield, the particle manipulation system may also include a microfluidic structure which focuses the target particles in a particular portion of the sample inlet channel. The particle manipulation device may have two separate sort output channels, wherein the sort channel used depends on the characteristics of the sort pulse delivered to the micromechanical particle manipulation device. Because of the improved focusing and pulse details, a droplet may be formed which contains a single particle, which may also be barcoded with an identifiable signature bead.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2019Publication date: May 16, 2019Applicant: Owl biomedical, Inc.Inventors: John S. FOSTER, Kevin E. SHIELDS, Mehran R. HOONEJANI
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Publication number: 20180154361Abstract: A particle manipulation system uses a MEMS-based, microfabricated particle manipulation device which has a sample inlet channel, output channels, and a movable member formed on a substrate. The device may be used to separate a target particle from non-target material in a sample stream. In order to improve the sorter speed, accuracy or yield, the particle manipulation system may also include a microfluidic structure which focuses the target particles in a particular portion of the sample inlet channel. The device may be manufactured using three or more substrates in a wafer stack, and each device may be singulated from the wafer stack using submerged trenches in the middle substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2018Publication date: June 7, 2018Applicant: Owl biomedical, Inc.Inventors: John S. FOSTER, Kevin E. SHIELDS, Mehran R. Hoonejani, Adam G. Swanson
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Publication number: 20160377525Abstract: A MEMS-based particle manipulation system which uses a particle manipulation stage and optical confirmation of the manipulation. The optical confirmation may be camera-based, and may be used to assess the effectiveness or accuracy of the particle manipulation stage. In one exemplary embodiment, the particle manipulation stage is a microfabricated, fluid valve, which sorts a target particle from non-target particles in a fluid stream. The optical confirmation stage is disposed in the microfabricated fluid channels at the input and output of the microfabricated sorting valve. The laser interrogation regions may be used to assess the effectiveness or accuracy of the sorting, and to control or adjust sort parameters during the sorting process.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2016Publication date: December 29, 2016Applicant: Owl biomedical, Inc.Inventors: John S. FOSTER, Kevin E. Shields, Mehran R. Hoonejani, Mark A. NAIVAR, Yareeve ZEMEL
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Publication number: 20160263575Abstract: A particle manipulation system uses a MEMS-based, microfabricated particle manipulation device which has an inlet channel, output channels, and a movable member formed on a substrate. The movable member moves parallel to the fabrication plane, as does fluid flowing in the inlet channel. The movable member separates a target particle from the rest of the particles, diverting it into an output channel. However, at least one output channel is not parallel to the fabrication plane. The device may be used to separate a target particle from non-target material in a sample stream. The target particle may be, for example, a stem cell, zygote, a cancer cell, a T-cell, a component of blood, bacteria or DNA sample, for example. The particle manipulation system may also include a microfluidic structure which focuses the target particles in a particular portion of the inlet channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2016Publication date: September 15, 2016Applicant: Owl biomedical, Inc.Inventors: John S. FOSTER, Stefan MILTENYI, Kamala R. Qalandar, Kevin E. Shields, Kimberly L. Turner, Mehran R. Hoonejani
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Patent number: 9404838Abstract: A particle manipulation system uses a MEMS-based, microfabricated particle manipulation device which has an inlet channel, output channels, and a movable member formed on a substrate. The movable member moves parallel to the fabrication plane, as does fluid flowing in the inlet channel. The movable member separates a target particle from the rest of the particles, diverting it into an output channel. However, at least one output channel is not parallel to the fabrication plane. The device may be used to separate a target particle from non-target material in a sample stream. The target particle may be, for example, a stem cell, zygote, a cancer cell, a T-cell, a component of blood, bacteria or DNA sample, for example. The particle manipulation system may also include a microfluidic structure which focuses the target particles in a particular portion of the inlet channel.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2013Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Owl biomedical, Inc.Inventors: John S Foster, Nicholas C. Martinez, Stefan Miltenyi, Kamala R. Qalandar, Kevin E. Shields, Kimberly L. Turner, Mehran R. Hoonejani
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Patent number: 9372144Abstract: A particle manipulation system uses a MEMS-based, microfabricated particle manipulation device which has an inlet channel, output channels, and a movable member formed on a substrate. The movable member moves parallel to the fabrication plane, as does fluid flowing in the inlet channel. The movable member separates a target particle from the rest of the particles, diverting it into an output channel. However, at least one output channel is not parallel to the fabrication plane. The device may be used to separate a target particle from non-target material in a sample stream. The target particle may be, for example, a stem cell, zygote, a cancer cell, a T-cell, a component of blood, bacteria or DNA sample, for example. The particle manipulation system may also include a microfluidic structure which focuses the target particles in a particular portion of the inlet channel.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2013Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: Owl biomedical, Inc.Inventors: John S Foster, Nicholas C. Martinez, Stefan Miltenyi, Kamala R. Qalandar, Kevin E. Shields, Kimberly L. Turner
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Patent number: 9360164Abstract: A MEMS-based particle manipulation system which uses a particle manipulation stage and a sensor to detect when the sample volume is exhausted or nearly exhausted. The sensor sends a signal to a fluid control means that reverses the pressure between one of the output channels and the input channels, to keep the surfaces wet with a volume of the sample fluid. This volume can be maintained in the channel until an operator intervenes, or it can be repeatedly shuttled back and forth between the input channel and an output channel. By keeping the channels wet, material from the sample stream does not become adhered to the channel walls, which might otherwise irreversibly change or damage the device.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2014Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Owl biomedical, Inc.Inventors: John S Foster, Nicholas C. Martinez, Kevin E. Shields, Jaquelin K. Spong
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Patent number: 9168568Abstract: A MEMS-based particle manipulation system which uses a particle manipulation stage and a plurality of laser interrogation regions. The laser interrogation regions may be used to assess the effectiveness or accuracy of the particle manipulation stage. In one exemplary embodiment, the particle manipulation stage is a microfabricated valve, which sorts a target particle from non-target particles in a fluid stream. The laser interrogation stages are disposed in the microfabricated fluid channels at the input and output of the valve. By reversing the flow from output to input, the same laser interrogation region may be used to perform the cytometry. The cytometry may be performed throughout the sorting process to optimize or control the sorting, or may be performed afterward to allow a multi-pass, sequential sort to be performed on the same sample.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2013Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: Owl biomedical, Inc.Inventors: John S Foster, Nicholas C. Martinez, Kevin E. Shields, Jaquelin K. Spong
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Publication number: 20150211685Abstract: A MEMS-based particle manipulation system which uses a particle manipulation stage and a sensor to detect when the sample volume is exhausted or nearly exhausted. The sensor sends a signal to a fluid control means that reverses the pressure between one of the output channels and the input channels, to keep the surfaces wet with a volume of the sample fluid. This volume can be maintained in the channel until an operator intervenes, or it can be repeatedly shuttled back and forth between the input channel and an output channel. By keeping the channels wet, material from the sample stream does not become adhered to the channel walls, which might otherwise irreversibly change or damage the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2014Publication date: July 30, 2015Applicant: Owl biomedical, Inc.Inventors: John S. FOSTER, Nicholas C. MARTINEZ, Kevin E. SHIELDS, Jaquelin K. SPONG
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Publication number: 20150093810Abstract: A particle manipulation system uses a MEMS-based, microfabricated particle manipulation device, which has an inlet channel, output channels, and a movable member formed on a substrate. The movable member moves parallel to the fabrication plane, as does fluid flowing in the inlet channel. The movable member separates a target particle from the rest of the particles, diverting it into an output channel. However, at least one output channel is not parallel to the fabrication plane. The device may be used to separate a target particle from non-target material in a sample stream. The target particle may be, for example, a stern cell, zygote, a cancer cell, a component of blood, bacteria or DNA sample, for example. The particle manipulation system may also include a microfluidic structure which focuses the target particles in a particular portion of the inlet channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2013Publication date: April 2, 2015Applicant: Owl biomedical, Inc.Inventors: John S. Foster, Nicholas C. Martinez, Stefan Miltenyi, Kamala R. Qalandar, Kevin E. Shields, Kimberly L. Turner, Mehran R. Hoonejani
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Publication number: 20150093817Abstract: A particle manipulation system uses a MEMS-based, microfabricated particle manipulation device which has an inlet channel, output channels, and a movable member formed on a substrate. The movable member moves parallel to the fabrication plane, as does fluid flowing in the inlet channel. The movable member separates a target particle from the rest of the particles, diverting it into an output channel. However, at least one output channel is not parallel to the fabrication plane. The device may be used to separate a target particle from non-target material in a sample stream. The target particle may be, for example, a stem cell, zygote, a cancer cell, a T-cell, a component of blood, bacteria or DNA sample, for example. The particle manipulation system may also include a microfluidic structure which focuses the target particles in a particular portion of the inlet channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2013Publication date: April 2, 2015Applicant: Owl biomedical, Inc.Inventors: John S. Foster, Nicholas C. Martinez, Stefan Miltenyi, Kamala R. Qalandar, Kevin E. Shields, Kimberly L. Turner
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Publication number: 20140097129Abstract: A MEMS-based particle manipulation system which uses a particle manipulation stage and a plurality of laser interrogation regions. The laser interrogation regions may be used to assess the effectiveness or accuracy of the particle manipulation stage. In one exemplary embodiment, the particle manipulation stage is a microfabricated valve, which sorts a target particle from non-target particles in a fluid stream. The laser interrogation stages are disposed in the microfabricated fluid channels at the input and output of the valve. By reversing the flow from output to input, the same laser interrogation region may be used to perform the cytometry. The cytometry may be performed throughout the sorting process to optimize or control the sorting, or may be performed afterward to allow a multi-pass, sequential sort to be performed on the same sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2013Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: OWL BIOMEDICAL, INC.Inventors: John S. FOSTER, Nicholas C. MARTINEZ, Kevin E. SHIELDS, Jaquelin K. SPONG
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Patent number: 8256899Abstract: A system and method for reproducing complex camera movements that are made during a recorded scene so that camera movements can be precisely reproduced. A camera is mounted onto a camera support system. The camera support system has multiple articulated joints that enable the camera support system to move the camera through a wide range. Sensors are provided at each of the articulated joints to sense any changes in orientation experienced during a scene. The sensors create corresponding data signals indicative of the movement. A scene is shot with the camera. During the scene, the camera has a shooting position that is altered using the camera support system. The sensors detect the movements and the data signals produced are saved in an electronic memory. The saved data signals are used at a later time to reproduce movements of the camera support system.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2009Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Inventor: Kevin E. Shields