Patents by Inventor Neil Ebejer
Neil Ebejer 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: 11719668Abstract: Presented herein are systems, methods, and architectures related to functionalization of the metallic gates of field-effect transistors (FETs) and the use of the functionalized FETs as biochemical sensors in liquid samples. The functionalization can either be a molecularly imprinted polymer or a probe material. The functionalized FETs can be used in devices for analyte detection/quantification. In particular, the functionalized FETs are used in devices for the detection and/or quantification of cytokines (e.g. interleukin) and/or cholesterol (LDL or HDL).Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2019Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Xsensio SAInventors: Johan Frédéric Longo, Neil Ebejer, Hoël Maxime Guérin, Fabien Patrick Wildhaber
-
Patent number: 11712181Abstract: Presented herein are systems, methods for collecting fluid from a surface (e.g., skin) and analyzing the fluid (e.g., to measure chemical, physical and/or biological properties of the fluid). For example, a system for fluid collection on a surface (e.g., skin) and fluid analysis includes at least one of the following modules: (i) a collection and delivery module to collect a fluid over a wet or partially wet surface and deliver it to (ii) a main sensing module to perform chemical, physical and/or biological analysis on the fluid. The system also includes (iii) a flow regulation module, for controlling fluid flow (e.g., transport) through the system and (iv) a waste module to collect and/or dispose of the fluid after analysis is complete.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2019Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Xsensio SAInventors: Fabien Patrick Wildhaber, Neil Ebejer, Hoël Maxime Guérin, Johan Frédéric Longo
-
Publication number: 20210364466Abstract: Presented herein are systems, methods, and architectures related to functionalization of the metallic gates of field-effect transistors (FETs) and the use of the functionalized FETs as biochemical sensors in liquid samples. The functionalization can either be a molecularly imprinted polymer or a probe material. The functionalized FETs can be used in devices for analyte detection/quantification. In particular, the functionalized FETs are used in devices for the detection and/or quantification of cytokines (e.g. interleukin) and/or cholesterol (LDL or HDL).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2019Publication date: November 25, 2021Inventors: Johan Frédéric Longo, Neil Ebejer, Hoël Maxime Guérin, Fabien Patrick Wildhaber
-
Patent number: 11161115Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a pH control device. The device comprises a substrate, on which is defined a flow path adapted to receive a liquid. The device further comprises a set of electrodes, which includes a pH sensing electrode and pH generation electrodes. The electrodes are arranged along the flow path. The pH sensing electrode is arranged so as to be subjected to a change in pH of a portion of the liquid on the flow path, as caused by the pH generation electrodes. In addition, the device includes a controller, which is configured to apply a voltage across the pH generation electrodes, based on a signal obtained via the pH sensing electrode and a reference electrode. This enables local control a pH of the liquid portion. The device may further be embodied as a sensor, additionally comprising a detection electrode.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2019Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Neil Ebejer, Patrick Ruch
-
Patent number: 11161114Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a pH control device. The device comprises a substrate, on which is defined a flow path adapted to receive a liquid. The device further comprises a set of electrodes, which includes a pH sensing electrode and pH generation electrodes. The electrodes are arranged along the flow path. The pH sensing electrode is arranged so as to be subjected to a change in pH of a portion of the liquid on the flow path, as caused by the pH generation electrodes. In addition, the device includes a controller, which is configured to apply a voltage across the pH generation electrodes, based on a signal obtained via the pH sensing electrode and a reference electrode. This enables local control a pH of the liquid portion. The device may further be embodied as a sensor, additionally comprising a detection electrode.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2019Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Neil Ebejer, Patrick Ruch
-
Patent number: 10980448Abstract: A sensor device, such as a biosensor, may comprise a polymer substrate, which is structured so as to form sets of microneedles and respective vias. The microneedles extend, each, from a base surface of the substrate. Each of the vias extends through a thickness of the substrate, thereby forming a corresponding set of apertures on the base surface. Each of the apertures is adjacent to a respective one of the microneedles. The device further may comprise two or more electrodes, these including a sensing electrode and a reference electrode. Each electrode may comprise an electrically conductive material layer that coats a region of the substrate, so as to coat at least some of the microneedles and neighboring portions of said base surface. Related devices, apparatuses, and methods of fabrication and use of such devices may be provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2018Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Neil Ebejer, Ute Drechsler, Patrick Ruch
-
Publication number: 20210106259Abstract: A sensor device, such as a biosensor, may comprise a polymer substrate, which is structured so as to form sets of microneedles and respective vias. The microneedles extend, each, from a base surface of the substrate. Each of the vias extends through a thickness of the substrate, thereby forming a corresponding set of apertures on the base surface. Each of the apertures is adjacent to a respective one of the microneedles. The device further may comprise two or more electrodes, these including a sensing electrode and a reference electrode. Each electrode may comprise an electrically conductive material layer that coats a region of the substrate, so as to coat at least some of the microneedles and neighboring portions of said base surface. Related devices, apparatuses, and methods of fabrication and use of such devices may be provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2020Publication date: April 15, 2021Inventors: Neil Ebejer, Ute Drechsler, Patrick Ruch
-
Publication number: 20200397352Abstract: Presented herein are systems, methods for collecting fluid from a surface (e.g., skin) and analyzing the fluid (e.g., to measure chemical, physical and/or biological properties of the fluid). For example, a system for fluid collection on a surface (e.g., skin) and fluid analysis includes at least one of the following modules: (i) a collection and delivery module to collect a fluid over a wet or partially wet surface and deliver it to (ii) a main sensing module to perform chemical, physical and/or biological analysis on the fluid. The system also includes (iii) a flow regulation module, for controlling fluid flow (e.g., transport) through the system and (iv) a waste module to collect and/or dispose of the fluid after analysis is complete.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2019Publication date: December 24, 2020Inventors: Fabien Patrick Wildhaber, Neil Ebejer, Hoël Maxime Guérin, Johan Frédéric Longo
-
Patent number: 10553891Abstract: The present invention is notably directed to a flow cell device. The device comprises: an exchange membrane, extending essentially in a plane; an adhesive, at a periphery of the membrane; and two half-cells, each on a respective side of said plane, the half-cells sandwiching the membrane. The membrane spans a smaller area than each of the areas of the half-cells, whereby a peripheral space is defined at the periphery of the membrane between two opposing faces of the half-cells. This space is at least partly filled with an adhesive, so as to secure the two half-cells to each other with the membrane encapsulated therein. The present invention is further directed to a method of fabrication of such a flow cell device.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2017Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Neil Ebejer, Patrick Ruch
-
Patent number: 10532356Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a pH control device. The device comprises a substrate, on which is defined a flow path adapted to receive a liquid. The device further comprises a set of electrodes, which includes a pH sensing electrode and pH generation electrodes. The electrodes are arranged along the flow path. The pH sensing electrode is arranged so as to be subjected to a change in pH of a portion of the liquid on the flow path, as caused by the pH generation electrodes. In addition, the device includes a controller, which is configured to apply a voltage across the pH generation electrodes, based on a signal obtained via the pH sensing electrode and a reference electrode. This enables local control a pH of the liquid portion. The device may further be embodied as a sensor, additionally comprising a detection electrode.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2017Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Neil Ebejer, Patrick Ruch
-
Publication number: 20190350500Abstract: A sensor device, such as a biosensor, may comprise a polymer substrate, which is structured so as to form sets of microneedles and respective vias. The microneedles extend, each, from a base surface of the substrate. Each of the vias extends through a thickness of the substrate, thereby forming a corresponding set of apertures on the base surface. Each of the apertures is adjacent to a respective one of the microneedles. The device further may comprise two or more electrodes, these including a sensing electrode and a reference electrode. Each electrode may comprise an electrically conductive material layer that coats a region of the substrate, so as to coat at least some of the microneedles and neighboring portions of said base surface. Related devices, apparatuses, and methods of fabrication and use of such devices may be provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2018Publication date: November 21, 2019Inventors: Neil Ebejer, Ute Drechsler, Patrick Ruch
-
Publication number: 20190336977Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a pH control device. The device comprises a substrate, on which is defined a flow path adapted to receive a liquid. The device further comprises a set of electrodes, which includes a pH sensing electrode and pH generation electrodes. The electrodes are arranged along the flow path. The pH sensing electrode is arranged so as to be subjected to a change in pH of a portion of the liquid on the flow path, as caused by the pH generation electrodes. In addition, the device includes a controller, which is configured to apply a voltage across the pH generation electrodes, based on a signal obtained via the pH sensing electrode and a reference electrode. This enables local control a pH of the liquid portion. The device may further be embodied as a sensor, additionally comprising a detection electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2019Publication date: November 7, 2019Inventors: Neil Ebejer, Patrick Ruch
-
Publication number: 20190336976Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a pH control device. The device comprises a substrate, on which is defined a flow path adapted to receive a liquid. The device further comprises a set of electrodes, which includes a pH sensing electrode and pH generation electrodes. The electrodes are arranged along the flow path. The pH sensing electrode is arranged so as to be subjected to a change in pH of a portion of the liquid on the flow path, as caused by the pH generation electrodes. In addition, the device includes a controller, which is configured to apply a voltage across the pH generation electrodes, based on a signal obtained via the pH sensing electrode and a reference electrode. This enables local control a pH of the liquid portion. The device may further be embodied as a sensor, additionally comprising a detection electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2019Publication date: November 7, 2019Inventors: Neil Ebejer, Patrick Ruch
-
Publication number: 20190134632Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a pH control device. The device comprises a substrate, on which is defined a flow path adapted to receive a liquid. The device further comprises a set of electrodes, which includes a pH sensing electrode and pH generation electrodes. The electrodes are arranged along the flow path. The pH sensing electrode is arranged so as to be subjected to a change in pH of a portion of the liquid on the flow path, as caused by the pH generation electrodes. In addition, the device includes a controller, which is configured to apply a voltage across the pH generation electrodes, based on a signal obtained via the pH sensing electrode and a reference electrode. This enables local control a pH of the liquid portion. The device may further be embodied as a sensor, additionally comprising a detection electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2017Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventors: Neil Ebejer, Patrick Ruch
-
Publication number: 20180241064Abstract: The present invention is notably directed to a flow cell device. The device comprises: an exchange membrane, extending essentially in a plane; an adhesive, at a periphery of the membrane; and two half-cells, each on a respective side of said plane, the half-cells sandwiching the membrane. The membrane spans a smaller area than each of the areas of the half-cells, whereby a peripheral space is defined at the periphery of the membrane between two opposing faces of the half-cells. This space is at least partly filled with an adhesive, so as to secure the two half-cells to each other with the membrane encapsulated therein. The present invention is further directed to a method of fabrication of such a flow cell device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2017Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Neil Ebejer, Patrick Ruch
-
Publication number: 20180241066Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of fabricating a flow cell device. The device comprises: an exchange membrane, extending essentially in a plane; an adhesive, at a periphery of the membrane; and two half-cells, each on a respective side of said plane, the half-cells sandwiching the membrane. The membrane spans a smaller area than each of the areas of the half-cells, whereby a peripheral space is defined at the periphery of the membrane between two opposing faces of the half-cells. This space is at least partly filled with an adhesive, so as to secure the two half-cells to each other with the membrane encapsulated therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2017Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Neil Ebejer, Patrick Ruch
-
Patent number: 9316613Abstract: Apparatus comprises a pipet comprising first and second channels separated by a septum and having a tip at which each of the first and second channels is open; an electrolyte solution contained within both the first and second channels of the pipet; a first electrode extending into the electrolyte in the first channel of the pipet; a second electrode extending into the electrolyte in the second channel of the pipet; means for applying a potential difference between the first and second electrodes; means for measuring alternating current components of a current flowing to or from the first electrode; means for applying an oscillatory perturbation to the pipet; and means responsive to the alternating current measured to be flowing to or from the first electrode to adjust a position of the pipet such as to control a separation between the tip of the pipet and a surface of interest.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2011Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: The University of WarwickInventors: Patrick Unwin, Neil Ebejer
-
Publication number: 20130140191Abstract: Apparatus comprises a pipet comprising first and second channels separated by a septum and having a tip at which each of the first and second channels is open; an electrolyte solution contained within both the first and second channels of the pipet; a first electrode extending into the electrolyte in the first channel of the pipet; a second electrode extending into the electrolyte in the second channel of the pipet; means for applying a potential difference between the first and second electrodes; means for measuring alternating current components of a current flowing to or from the first electrode; means for applying an oscillatory perturbation to the pipet; and means responsive to the alternating current measured to be flowing to or from the first electrode to adjust a position of the pipet such as to control a separation between the tip of the pipet and a surface of interest.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2011Publication date: June 6, 2013Inventors: Patrick Unwin, Neil Ebejer