Patents by Inventor Michael Edward EGAN

Michael Edward EGAN 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: 10563253
    Abstract: A cartridge interface module (CIM), configured to engage with a removable microfluidic cartridge in a nucleic acid analyzer system can include a fluidics component, which is configured to initiate and support a liquid extraction of nucleic acids from a biological sample contained in the removable microfluidic cartridge. The CIM also includes a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assembly component which can be configured to initiate and support amplification of the extracted nucleic acids. The CIM may also include a high voltage electrodes component that is configured to initiate and support separation of the amplified nucleic acids into nucleic acid fragments in a separation channel of the removable microfluidic cartridge. The CIM also includes a detection optics component that can be configured to collect, detect, and direct label nucleic acid fragments. The CIM is configured to integrate with a microfluidic chip architecture of an inserted removable microfluidic cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Edward Egan, Orion N. Scott, James Landers, Douglas J. South, Brian E. Root
  • Publication number: 20200002745
    Abstract: A cartridge interface module (CIM), configured to engage with a removable microfluidic cartridge in a nucleic acid analyzer system can include a fluidics component, which is configured to initiate and support a liquid extraction of nucleic acids from a biological sample contained in the removable microfluidic cartridge. The CIM also includes a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assembly component which can be configured to initiate and support amplification of the extracted nucleic acids. The CIM may also include a high voltage electrodes component that is configured to initiate and support separation of the amplified nucleic acids into nucleic acid fragments in a separation channel of the removable microfluidic cartridge. The CIM also includes a detection optics component that can be configured to collect, detect, and direct label nucleic acid fragments. The CIM is configured to integrate with a microfluidic chip architecture of an inserted removable microfluidic cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicants: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION, ZYGEM CORPORATION LTD.
    Inventors: Michael Edward EGAN, Orion N. SCOTT, James LANDERS, Douglas J. SOUTH, Brian E. ROOT
  • Patent number: 9630182
    Abstract: A microfluidic chip includes one or more reaction chambers to hold fluids for chemical or biochemical reactions, such as PCR. A non-contact heat source heats the reaction chamber and the fluid, such that the heat source does not contact the reaction chamber or the fluid. The heat source can heat the reaction chamber and the fluid separately, where the reaction chamber and the fluid separately absorb heat radiation from the heat source. A temperature sensor acquires a temperature of the reaction chamber and/or the fluid. Control circuitry controls the heat source according to a cycling profile for the reaction in the fluid to cycle the heat source between heating and not heating the reaction chamber and the fluid based on the temperature acquired by the temperature sensor. Cooling can be provided passively or actively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Edward Egan, Peter Karl Trost, James Landers, Brian Root, Orion Scott
  • Publication number: 20150151302
    Abstract: A microfluidic chip includes one or more reaction chambers to hold fluids for chemical or biochemical reactions, such as PCR. A non-contact heat source heats the reaction chamber and the fluid, such that the heat source does not contact the reaction chamber or the fluid. The heat source can heat the reaction chamber and the fluid separately, where the reaction chamber and the fluid separately absorb heat radiation from the heat source. A temperature sensor acquires a temperature of the reaction chamber and/or the fluid. Control circuitry controls the heat source according to a cycling profile for the reaction in the fluid to cycle the heat source between heating and not heating the reaction chamber and the fluid based on the temperature acquired by the temperature sensor. Cooling can be provided passively or actively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicants: ZyGEM CORPORATION LTD., LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Edward EGAN, Peter Karl Trost, James Landers, Brian Root, Orion Scott
  • Publication number: 20140295441
    Abstract: A cartridge interface module (CIM), configured to engage with a removable microfluidic cartridge in a nucleic acid analyzer system can include a fluidics component, which is configured to initiate and support a liquid extraction of nucleic acids from a biological sample contained in the removable microfluidic cartridge. The CIM also includes a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assembly component which can be configured to initiate and support amplification of the extracted nucleic acids. The CIM may also include a high voltage electrodes component that is configured to initiate and support separation of the amplified nucleic acids into nucleic acid fragments in a separation channel of the removable microfluidic cartridge. The CIM also includes a detection optics component that can be configured to collect, detect, and direct label nucleic acid fragments. The CIM is configured to integrate with a microfluidic chip architecture of an inserted removable microfluidic cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicants: ZYGEM CORPORATION LTD., LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Edward EGAN, Orion N. Scott, James Landers, Douglas J. South, Brian E. Root