Patents by Inventor Marc A. Unger

Marc A. Unger 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).

  • Patent number: 12220702
    Abstract: A microfluidic device includes an input source characterized by a source pressure, an input channel in fluid communication with the input source, and an output channel. The microfluidic device also includes a normally closed valve having a closed state and an open state. The normally closed valve is disposed between the input channel and the output channel. The microfluidic device further includes one or more release chambers coupled to a pressure source. Activation of the pressure source deforms the one or more release chambers, placing the normally closed valve in the open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: STANDARD BIOTOOLS INC.
    Inventors: Naga Gopi Devaraju, Marc A. Unger
  • Publication number: 20220395829
    Abstract: A microfluidic device includes an input source characterized by a source pressure, an input channel in fluid communication with the input source, and an output channel. The microfluidic device also includes a normally closed valve having a closed state and an open state. The normally closed valve is disposed between the input channel and the output channel. The microfluidic device further includes one or more release chambers coupled to a pressure source. Activation of the pressure source deforms the one or more release chambers, placing the normally closed valve in the open state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Applicant: Standard BioTools Corporation
    Inventors: Naga Gopi Devaraju, Marc A. Unger
  • Patent number: 11400450
    Abstract: A microfluidic system includes a substrate, a set of input ports coupled to the substrate, and a set of output ports coupled to the substrate. The microfluidic system also includes a microfluidic processing system coupled to the substrate and including a plurality of processing sites. The microfluidic processing system is coupled to the set of input ports and the set of output ports. The microfluidic system further includes one or more microfluidic logic devices coupled to the substrate and operable to control at least a portion of the microfluidic processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Standard BioTools Corporation
    Inventors: Naga Gopi Devaraju, Marc A. Unger
  • Patent number: 10745748
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a variety of devices and methods for conducting microfluidic analyses are utilized herein, including devices that can be utilized to conduct thermal cycling reactions such as nucleic acid amplification reactions. The devices include elastomeric components; in some instances, much or all of the device is composed of elastomeric material. Amplification products (amplicons) can be detected and distinguished (whether isolated in a reaction chamber or at any subsequent time) using routine methods for detecting nucleic acids. An example of a detection method includes hybridization to arrays of immobilized oligo or polynucleotides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: FLUIDIGM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marc A. Unger, Geoffrey Richard Facer, Barry Clerkson, Christopher G. Cesar, Neil Switz
  • Patent number: 10509018
    Abstract: The present invention provides microfluidic devices and methods for using the same. In particular, microfluidic devices of the present invention are useful in conducting a variety of assays and high throughput screening. Microfluidic devices of the present invention include elastomeric components and comprise a main flow channel; a plurality of branch flow channels; a plurality of control channels; and a plurality of valves. Preferably, each of the valves comprises one of the control channels and an elastomeric segment that is deflectable into or retractable from the main or branch flow channel upon which the valve operates in response to an actuation force applied to the control channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Stephen R. Quake, Marc A. Unger, Hou-Pu Chou, Todd A. Thorsen, Axel Scherer
  • Publication number: 20190329253
    Abstract: A microfluidic system includes a substrate, a set of input ports coupled to the substrate, and a set of output ports coupled to the substrate. The microfluidic system also includes a microfluidic processing system coupled to the substrate and including a plurality of processing sites. The microfluidic processing system is coupled to the set of input ports and the set of output ports. The microfluidic system further includes one or more microfluidic logic devices coupled to the substrate and operable to control at least a portion of the microfluidic processing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Naga Gopi Devaraju, Marc A. Unger
  • Publication number: 20190249238
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a method of forming tagged nucleic acid sequences. A target polynucleotide is immobilized on a solid support; a recognition-oligonucleotide is hybridized thereto; the recognition-oligonucleotide-target polynucleotide hybrid is cleaved; and an adapter nucleic acid is ligated to the cleaved target polynucleotide, thereby forming a tagged nucleic acid sequence. Also provided is a method of forming a tagged single stranded cDNA; a method of forming a plurality of tagged heterogeneous nucleic acid sequences; a library of recognition-oligonucleotides; and methods for amplifying a cDNA sequence immobilized on a solid support. These methods and products can be used alone or in combination for integrated single cell sequencing, and can be adapted for use in a microfluidic apparatus or device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Jason A.A. West, Brian Fowler, Tze-Howe Charn, Christian F. Johnson, Marc A. Unger
  • Patent number: 10322411
    Abstract: A microfluidic system includes a substrate, a set of input ports coupled to the substrate, and a set of output ports coupled to the substrate. The microfluidic system also includes a microfluidic processing system coupled to the substrate and including a plurality of processing sites. The microfluidic processing system is coupled to the set of input ports and the set of output ports. The microfluidic system further includes one or more microfluidic logic devices coupled to the substrate and operable to control at least a portion of the microfluidic processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Fluidigm Corporation
    Inventors: Naga Gopi Devaraju, Marc A. Unger
  • Publication number: 20190153511
    Abstract: An apparatus for imaging one or more selected fluorescence indications from a microfluidic device. The apparatus includes an imaging path coupled to least one chamber in at least one microfluidic device. The imaging path provides for transmission of one or more fluorescent emission signals derived from one or more samples in the at least one chamber of the at least one microfluidic device. The chamber has a chamber size, the chamber size being characterized by an actual spatial dimension normal to the imaging path. The apparatus also includes an optical lens system coupled to the imaging path. The optical lens system is adapted to transmit the one or more fluorescent signals associated with the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Marc A. Unger, Geoffrey Richard Facer, Barry Clerkson, Christopher G. Cesar, Neil Switz
  • Publication number: 20180306683
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for multiple single-cell capturing and processing utilizing microfluidics. Tools and techniques are provided for capturing, partitioning, and/or manipulating individual cells from a larger population of cells along with generating genetic information and/or reactions related to each individual cell. Different capture configurations may be utilized to capture individual cells and then processing each individual cell in a multi-chamber reaction configuration. Some embodiments may provide for specific target amplification, whole genome amplification, whole transcriptome amplification, real-time PCR preparation, copy number variation, preamplification, mRNA sequencing, and/or haplotyping of the multiple individual cells that have been partitioned from the larger population of cells. Some embodiments may provide for other applications. Some embodiments may be configured for imaging the individual cells or associated reaction products as part of the processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: Fluidigm Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Fowler, Jake Kimball, Myo Thu Maung, Andrew May, Michael C. Norris, Dominique G. Toppani, Marc A. Unger, Jing Wang, Jason A.A. West
  • Patent number: 10106846
    Abstract: An apparatus for imaging one or more selected fluorescence indications from a microfluidic device. The apparatus includes an imaging path coupled to least one chamber in at least one microfluidic device. The imaging path provides for transmission of one or more fluorescent emission signals derived from one or more samples in the at least one chamber of the at least one microfluidic device. The chamber has a chamber size, the chamber size being characterized by an actual spatial dimension normal to the imaging path. The apparatus also includes an optical lens system coupled to the imaging path. The optical lens system is adapted to transmit the one or more fluorescent signals associated with the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Fluidigm Corporation
    Inventors: Marc A. Unger, Geoffrey Richard Facer, Barry Clerkson, Christopher G. Cesar, Neil Switz
  • Publication number: 20180243741
    Abstract: Devices and methods for performing the relative concentration of a target in a sample, the sample containing both target and non-target components, the method performed by partitioning the sample into a large number of reaction volumes such that the target is concentrated relative to the non-target, and performing a detection assay upon each reaction volume to detect the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Marc A. Unger, Lincoln McBride, Geoffrey Facer
  • Patent number: 9952126
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for multiple single-cell capturing and processing utilizing microfluidics. Tools and techniques are provided for capturing, partitioning, and/or manipulating individual cells from a larger population of cells along with generating genetic information and/or reactions related to each individual cell. Different capture configurations may be utilized to capture individual cells and then processing each individual cell in a multi-chamber reaction configuration. Some embodiments may provide for specific target amplification, whole genome amplification, whole transcriptome amplification, real-time PCR preparation, copy number variation, preamplification, mRNA sequencing, and/or haplotyping of the multiple individual cells that have been partitioned from the larger population of cells. Some embodiments may provide for other applications. Some embodiments may be configured for imaging the individual cells or associated reaction products as part of the processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Fluidigm Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Fowler, Jake Kimball, Myo Thu Maung, Andrew May, Michael C Norris, Dominique Toppani, Marc A. Unger, Jing Wang, Jason A. A. West
  • Publication number: 20170321249
    Abstract: An apparatus for imaging one or more selected fluorescence indications from a microfluidic device. The apparatus includes an imaging path coupled to least one chamber in at least one microfluidic device. The imaging path provides for transmission of one or more fluorescent emission signals derived from one or more samples in the at least one chamber of the at least one microfluidic device. The chamber has a chamber size, the chamber size being characterized by an actual spatial dimension normal to the imaging path. The apparatus also includes an optical lens system coupled to the imaging path. The optical lens system is adapted to transmit the one or more fluorescent signals associated with the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Marc A. Unger, Geoffrey Richard Facer, Barry Clerkson, Christopher G. Cesar, Neil Switz
  • Patent number: 9663821
    Abstract: An apparatus for imaging one or more selected fluorescence indications from a microfluidic device. The apparatus includes an imaging path coupled to least one chamber in at least one microfluidic device. The imaging path provides for transmission of one or more fluorescent emission signals derived from one or more samples in the at least one chamber of the at least one microfluidic device. The chamber has a chamber size, the chamber size being characterized by an actual spatial dimension normal to the imaging path. The apparatus also includes an optical lens system coupled to the imaging path. The optical lens system is adapted to transmit the one or more fluorescent signals associated with the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Fluidigm Corporation
    Inventors: Marc A. Unger, Geoffrey Richard Facer, Barry Clerkson, Christopher G. Cesar, Neil Switz
  • Patent number: 9593698
    Abstract: A microfabricated fluidic unidirectional valve includes a microfabricated elastomer material having a flow through channel. The microfabricated fluidic unidirectional valve also includes an elastomer flap attached to the elastomer material in the flow through channel. The elastomer flap forms a seal in the flow through channel to prevent fluid from flowing in a first direction through the flow through channel and to allow fluid flow in a second direction through the flow through channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Fluidigm Corporation
    Inventors: David Fernandes, Hou-Pu Chou, Marc A. Unger
  • Patent number: 9506845
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for multiple single-cell capturing and processing utilizing microfluidics. Tools and techniques are provided for capturing, partitioning, and/or manipulating individual cells from a larger population of cells along with generating genetic information and/or reactions related to each individual cell. Different capture configurations may be utilized to capture individual cells and then processing each individual cell in a multi-chamber reaction configuration. Some embodiments may provide for specific target amplification, whole genome amplification, whole transcriptome amplification, real-time PCR preparation, copy number variation, preamplification, mRNA sequencing, and/or haplotyping of the multiple individual cells that have been partitioned from the larger population of cells. Some embodiments may provide for other applications. Some embodiments may be configured for imaging the individual cells or associated reaction products as part of the processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Fluidigm Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Fowler, Jake Kimball, Myo Thu Maung, Andrew May, Michael C. Norris, Dominique G. Toppani, Marc A. Unger, Jing Wang, Jason A. A. West
  • Publication number: 20160250639
    Abstract: A microfluidic system includes a substrate, a set of input ports coupled to the substrate, and a set of output ports coupled to the substrate. The microfluidic system also includes a microfluidic processing system coupled to the substrate and including a plurality of processing sites. The microfluidic processing system is coupled to the set of input ports and the set of output ports. The microfluidic system further includes one or more microfluidic logic devices coupled to the substrate and operable to control at least a portion of the microfluidic processing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Naga Gopi Devaraju, Marc A. Unger
  • Patent number: 9429500
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for multiple single-cell capturing and processing utilizing microfluidics. Tools and techniques are provided for capturing, partitioning, and/or manipulating individual cells from a larger population of cells along with generating genetic information and/or reactions related to each individual cell. Different capture configurations may be utilized to capture individual cells and then processing each individual cell in a multi-chamber reaction configuration. Some embodiments may provide for specific target amplification, whole genome amplification, whole transcriptome amplification, real-time PCR preparation, copy number variation, preamplification, mRNA sequencing, and/or haplotyping of the multiple individual cells that have been partitioned from the larger population of cells. Some embodiments may provide for other applications. Some embodiments may be configured for imaging the individual cells or associated reaction products as part of the processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Fluidigm Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Fowler, Jake Kimball, Myo Thu Maung, Andrew May, Michael C. Norris, Dominique G. Toppani, Marc A. Unger, Jing Wang, Jason A. A. West
  • Publication number: 20160194685
    Abstract: An apparatus for imaging one or more selected fluorescence indications from a microfluidic device. The apparatus includes an imaging path coupled to least one chamber in at least one microfluidic device. The imaging path provides for transmission of one or more fluorescent emission signals derived from one or more samples in the at least one chamber of the at least one microfluidic device. The chamber has a chamber size, the chamber size being characterized by an actual spatial dimension normal to the imaging path. The apparatus also includes an optical lens system coupled to the imaging path. The optical lens system is adapted to transmit the one or more fluorescent signals associated with the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Marc A. Unger, Geoffrey Richard Facer, Barry Clerkson, Christopher G. Cesar, Neil Switz