Patents by Inventor Nigel P. Beard
Nigel P. Beard 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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Publication number: 20140374259Abstract: A method for dispensing liquid for use in biological analysis may comprise positioning liquid to be dispensed via electrowetting. The positioning may comprise aligning the liquid with a plurality of predetermined locations. The method may further comprise dispensing the aligned liquid from the plurality of predetermined locations through a plurality of openings respectively aligned with the predetermined locations. The dispensing may be via electrowetting.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2014Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: Charles S. Vann, Debjyoti Banerjee, Timothy G. Geiser, James C. Nurse, Nigel P. Beard
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Publication number: 20140251811Abstract: A device having a first substrate and a second substrate separated from the first substrate to form a volume between the first and second substrates, electrodes disposed on the first and second substrates and facing the volume, each substrate comprising at least one electrode, and a first insulating layer disposed on the first substrate and a second insulating layer disposed on the second substrate to separate the electrodes from the volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: APPLIED BIOSYSTEMS LLCInventors: Charles S. VANN, Debjyoti Banerjee, Timothy G. Geiser, James C. Nurse, Nigel P. Beard
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Publication number: 20140162264Abstract: Systems and methods for multiple analyte detection include a system for distribution of a biological sample that includes a substrate, wherein the substrate includes a plurality of sample chambers, a sample introduction channel for each sample chamber, and a venting channel for each sample chamber. The system may further include a preloaded reagent contained in each sample chamber and configured for nucleic acid analysis of a biological sample that enters the substrate and a sealing instrument configured to be placed in contact with the substrate to seal each sample chamber so as to substantially prevent sample contained in each sample chamber from flowing out of each sample chamber. The substrate can be constructed of detection-compatible and assay-compatible materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2013Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: APPLIED BIOSYSTEMS, LLCInventors: Min Yue, David M. Liu, Joy Roy, Yuh-Min Chiang, Joon Mo Yang, Dennis Lehto, Charles S. Vann, Nigel P. Beard, Ian A. Harding, John R. Van Camp, Alexander Dromaretsky, Sergey V. Ermakov, Mark F. Oldham, Maryam Shariati, Umberto Ulmanella
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Publication number: 20140141438Abstract: A microfluidic device may include a sample distribution network including a plurality of sample chambers configured to be loaded with biological sample for biological testing of the biological sample while in the sample chambers, the biological sample having a meniscus that moves within the sample chambers during loading. The sample distribution network may further include a plurality of inlet channels, each inlet channel being in flow communication with and configured to flow biological sample to a respective sample chamber, and a plurality of outlet channels, each outlet channel being in flow communication and configured to flow biological sample from a respective sample chamber. At least some of the sample chambers may include a physical modification configured to control the movement of the meniscus so as to control bubble formation within the at least some sample chambers.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2013Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: APPLIED BIOSYSTEMS, LLCInventors: Maengseok Song, Joon Mo Yang, Julie C. Lee, Nigel P. Beard, Yuh-Min Chiang, Roy H. Tan, Carol Schembri
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Publication number: 20140001202Abstract: A method for dispensing liquid for use in biological analysis may comprise positioning liquid to be dispensed via electrowetting. The positioning may comprise aligning the liquid with a plurality of predetermined locations. The method may further comprise dispensing the aligned liquid from the plurality of predetermined locations through a plurality of openings respectively aligned with the predetermined locations. The dispensing may be via electrowetting.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2013Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: APPLIED BIOSYSTEMS, LLCInventors: Charles S. Vann, Debjyoti Banerjee, Timothy G. Geiser, James C. Nurse, Nigel P. Beard
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Patent number: 8597590Abstract: Systems and methods for multiple analyte detection include a system for distribution of a biological sample that includes a substrate, wherein the substrate includes a plurality of sample chambers, a sample introduction channel for each sample chamber, and a venting channel for each sample chamber. The system may further include a preloaded reagent contained in each sample chamber and configured for nucleic acid analysis of a biological sample that enters the substrate and a sealing instrument configured to be placed in contact with the substrate to seal each sample chamber so as to substantially prevent sample contained in each sample chamber from flowing out of each sample chamber. The substrate can be constructed of detection-compatible and assay-compatible materials.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2010Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Applied Biosystems, LLCInventors: Min Yue, David M. Liu, Joy Roy, Yuh-Min Chiang, Joon Mo Yang, Dennis Lehto, Charles S. Vann, Nigel P. Beard, Ian A. Harding, John R. Van Camp, Alexander Dromaretsky, Sergey V. Ermakov, Mark F. Oldham, Maryam Shariati, Umberto Ulmanella
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Patent number: 8470149Abstract: A method for dispensing liquid for use in biological analysis may comprise positioning liquid to be dispensed via electrowetting. The positioning may comprise aligning the liquid with a plurality of predetermined locations. The method may further comprise dispensing the aligned liquid from the plurality of predetermined locations through a plurality of openings respectively aligned with the predetermined locations. The dispensing may be via electrowetting.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2011Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Applied Biosystems, LLCInventors: Charles S. Vann, Debjyoti Banerjee, Timothy G. Geiser, James C. Nurse, Nigel P. Beard
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Patent number: 8337777Abstract: A device and methods for sample distribution through a channel in which an expandable valve provides a mechanism to regulate flow through the channel. The valve may be configured to exert a force on a membrane layer so as to substantially block a portion of the channel to retain the sample in a desired location and prevent flow past the valve mechanism between the channel and a chamber.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2007Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Applied Biosystems, LLCInventors: James C. Nurse, Douglas P. Greiner, Nigel P. Beard
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Publication number: 20120138462Abstract: A method for dispensing liquid for use in biological analysis may comprise positioning liquid to be dispensed via electrowetting. The positioning may comprise aligning the liquid with a plurality of predetermined locations. The method may further comprise dispensing the aligned liquid from the plurality of predetermined locations through a plurality of openings respectively aligned with the predetermined locations. The dispensing may be via electrowetting.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2011Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Charles S. Vann, Debjyoti Banerjee, Timothy G. Geiser, James C. Nurse, Nigel P. Beard
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Publication number: 20110020179Abstract: Systems and methods for multiple analyte detection include a system for distribution of a biological sample that includes a substrate, wherein the substrate includes a plurality of sample chambers, a sample introduction channel for each sample chamber, and a venting channel for each sample chamber. The system may further include a preloaded reagent contained in each sample chamber and configured for nucleic acid analysis of a biological sample that enters the substrate and a sealing instrument configured to be placed in contact with the substrate to seal each sample chamber so as to substantially prevent sample contained in each sample chamber from flowing out of each sample chamber. The substrate can be constructed of detection-compatible and assay-compatible materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2010Publication date: January 27, 2011Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Min Yue, David M. Liu, Yuh-Min Chiang, Joon-Mo Yang, Dennis Lehto, Charles S. Vann, Nigel P. Beard, Ian A. Harding, John Van Camp, Alexander Dromaretsky, Sergey V. Ermakov, Mark F. Oldham, Joy Roy, Maryam Shariati, Umberto Ulmanella
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Publication number: 20100236930Abstract: A method for dispensing liquid for use in biological analysis may comprise positioning liquid to be dispensed via electrowetting. The positioning may comprise aligning the liquid with a plurality of predetermined locations. The method may further comprise dispensing the aligned liquid from the plurality of predetermined locations through a plurality of openings respectively aligned with the predetermined locations. The dispensing may be via electrowetting.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2010Publication date: September 23, 2010Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Charles S. Vann, Debjyoti Banerjee, Timothy G. Geiser, James C. Nurse, Nigel P. Beard
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Publication number: 20090197277Abstract: A filling apparatus for filling a microplate. The microplate having a plurality of wells each sized to receive an assay. The filling apparatus can comprise an assay input layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The assay input layer can comprise an assay input port extending from the first surface to the second surface and at least one pressure nodule extending from the second surface. An output layer can comprise a plurality of staging capillaries each having an inlet and an outlet. A intermediate layer can be disposed between the assay input layer and the output layer. The intermediate layer can be flexible and comprise a plurality of microfluidic channels and a flow aperture being in fluid communication with the assay input port and the plurality of microfluidic channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2009Publication date: August 6, 2009Applicant: Life Technologies CorporationInventors: Nigel P. Beard, Albert L. Carrillo, Ian A. Harding, Mark T. Reed
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Publication number: 20090191098Abstract: A filling apparatus for filling a microplate. The microplate having a plurality of wells each sized to receive an assay. The filling apparatus can comprise an assay input layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The assay input layer can comprise an assay input port extending from the first surface to the second surface and at least one pressure nodule extending from the second surface. An output layer can comprise a plurality of staging capillaries each having an inlet and an outlet. The output layer can further comprise a capillary plane disposed above the plurality of staging capillaries in fluid communication with the assay input port. The capillary plane can be sized to draw the assay from the assay input port to generally flood fill the plurality of staging capillaries.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2009Publication date: July 30, 2009Applicant: Life Technologies CorporationInventors: Nigel P. Beard, Mark T. Reed
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Publication number: 20090081768Abstract: An assay card and devices and methods for isolating chambers on the assay card are described. The assay card comprises a substrate formed of one or more materials, e.g., plastic, having a softening temperature, the substrate defining channels communicating with respective reaction chambers. The assay card may be heated in a region of the channels to at least the softening temperature. The softened plastic may be deformed, e.g., with a tool which may or may not also provide the heat for softening the substrate. In this manner, the plastic of the substrate may be caused to at least partially obstruct the channels, thereby isolating the reaction chambers. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a tool device that includes pins for heating and deforming an assay card.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2007Publication date: March 26, 2009Applicant: Applera CorporationInventors: Joon Mo Yang, David M. Liu, Yuh-Min Chiang, Carol Schrembri, Aldrich N.K. Lau, Umberto Ulmanella, Nigel P. Beard, Maryam Shariati, James C. Nurse, Douwe D. Haga, Ian A. Harding, Julio P. Focaracci
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Publication number: 20080003145Abstract: A device and methods for sample distribution through a channel in which an expandable valve provides a mechanism to regulate flow through the channel. The valve may be configured to exert a force on a membrane layer so as to substantially block a portion of the channel to retain the sample in a desired location and prevent flow past the valve mechanism between the channel and a chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2007Publication date: January 3, 2008Applicant: Applera CorporationInventors: James C. Nurse, Douglas P. Greiner, Nigel P. Beard
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Publication number: 20070280857Abstract: A microfluidic device may include a sample distribution network including a plurality of sample chambers configured to be loaded with biological sample for biological testing of the biological sample while in the sample chambers, the biological sample having a meniscus that moves within the sample chambers during loading. The sample distribution network may further include a plurality of inlet channels, each inlet channel being in flow communication with and configured to flow biological sample to a respective sample chamber, and a plurality of outlet channels, each outlet channel being in flow communication and configured to flow biological sample from a respective sample chamber. At least some of the sample chambers may include a physical modification configured to control the movement of the meniscus so as to control bubble formation within the at least some sample chambers.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2006Publication date: December 6, 2007Applicant: APPLERA CORPORATIONInventors: Maengseok Song, Joon Mo Yang, Julie C. Lee, Nigel P. Beard, Yuh-Min Chiang, Roy H. Tan, Carol Schembri
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Publication number: 20070280856Abstract: A microfluidic device may include a sample distribution network including a plurality of sample chambers configured to be loaded with biological sample for biological testing of the biological sample while in the sample chambers, the biological sample having a meniscus that moves within the sample chambers during loading. The sample distribution network may further include a plurality of inlet channels, each inlet channel being in flow communication with and configured to flow biological sample to a respective sample chamber, and a plurality of outlet channels, each outlet channel being in flow communication and configured to flow biological sample from a respective sample chamber. At least some of the sample chambers may include a physical modification configured to control the movement of the meniscus so as to control bubble formation within the at least some sample chambers.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2006Publication date: December 6, 2007Applicant: APPLERA CORPORATIONInventors: Umberto Ulmanella, Eric S. Nordman, Maengseok Song, Joon Mo Yang, Julie C. Lee, Nigel P. Beard, Min Yue, Carol Schembri, David Liu