Patents by Inventor Michael C. Willis

Michael C. Willis 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).

  • Method and apparatus for delivery of submicroliter volumes onto a substrate
    Patent number: 8999266
    Abstract: A slotted pin tool, a delivery system containing the pin tool, a substrate for use in the system and methods using the pin tool and system are provided. The slotted pin tool contains a plurality of pins having slotted ends designed to fit around each loci of material deposited on a surface, such as a microarray, without contacting any of the deposited material. Sample is delivered by contacting the pin tool with the surface; the amount delivered is proportional to the velocity of the pin tool as it contacts the surface or the velocity of the liquid when movement of the pin is halted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Agena BioScience, Inc.
    Inventors: Xian-Wei Yao, Chao Lin, Paul Heaney, Thomas Becker, Aaron A. Hanson, Michael C. Willis
  • Method and apparatus for delivery of submicroliter volumes onto a substrate
    Publication number: 20020142483
    Abstract: A slotted pin tool, a delivery system containing the pin tool, a substrate for use in the system and methods using the pin tool and system are provided. The slotted pin tool contains a plurality of pins having slotted ends designed to fit around each loci of material deposited on a surface, such as a microarray, without contacting any of the deposited material. Sample is delivered by contacting the pin tool with the surface; the amount delivered is proportional to the velocity of the pin tool as it contacts the surface or the velocity of the liquid when movement of the pin is halted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: SEQUENOM, INC.
    Inventors: Xian-Wei Yao, Chao Lin, Paul Heaney, Thomas Becker, Aaron Hanson, Michael C. Willis