Patents by Inventor Norman Wen
Norman Wen 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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Patent number: 12378519Abstract: The invention relates to culturing brain endothelial cells, and optionally astrocytes and neurons in a fluidic device under conditions whereby the cells mimic the structure and function of the blood brain barrier. Culture of such cells in a microfluidic device, whether alone or in combination with other cells, drives maturation and/or differentiation further than existing systems.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2023Date of Patent: August 5, 2025Assignees: EMULATE, INC., CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTERInventors: S. Jordan Kerns, Norman Wen, Carolina Lucchesi, Christopher David Hinojosa, Jacob Fraser, Geraldine Hamilton, Gad Vatine, Samuel Sances, Clive Svendsen, Daniel Levner, Dhruv Sareen
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Patent number: 12378528Abstract: Organs-on-chips are microfluidic devices for culturing living cells in micrometer sized chambers in order to model physiological functions of tissues and organs. Engineered patterning and continuous fluid flow in these devices has allowed culturing of intestinal cells bearing physiologically relevant features and sustained exposure to bacteria while maintaining cellular viability, thereby allowing study of inflammatory bowl diseases. However, existing intestinal cells do not possess all physiologically relevant subtypes, do not possess the repertoire of genetic variations, or allow for study of other important cellular actors such as immune cells. Use of iPSC-derived epithelium, including IBD patient-specific cells, allows for superior disease modeling by capturing the multi-faceted nature of the disease.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2024Date of Patent: August 5, 2025Assignees: EMULATE, INC., CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTERInventors: S. Jordan Kerns, Norman Wen, Carol Lucchesi, Christopher David Hinojosa, Jacob Fraser, Jefferson Puerta, Geraldine Hamilton, Robert Barrett, Clive Svendsen, Daniel Levner, Stephen R. Targan, Michael Workman, Dhruv Sareen, Uthra Rajamani, Magdalena Kasendra
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Patent number: 12325846Abstract: A device for simulating a function of a tissue includes a first structure, a second structure, and a membrane. The first structure defines a first chamber. The first chamber includes a matrix disposed therein and an opened region. The second structure defines a second chamber. The membrane is located at an interface region between the first chamber and the second chamber. The membrane includes a first side facing toward the first chamber and a second side facing toward the second chamber. The membrane separates the first chamber from the second chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2024Date of Patent: June 10, 2025Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Antonio Varone, Norman Wen, Daniel Levner, Richard Novak, Lori McPartlin, Donald E. Ingber, Youngjae Choe, Lian Leng, Justin K. Nguyen
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Patent number: 12298320Abstract: The present invention is related to the field of microfluidics and compound distribution within microfluidic devices and their associated systems. In one embodiment, present invention aims to solve the problem of molecule and compound absorbency into the materials making up laboratory equipment, microfluidic devices and their related infrastructure, without unduly restricting gas transport within microfluidic devices.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2021Date of Patent: May 13, 2025Assignee: EMULATE, INC.Inventors: Josiah Sliz, Daniel Levner, Brian Zuckerman, Norman Wen, Jonathan Rubins, Tanvi Shroff, Christopher David Hinojosa, Grace Ahn, Victor Antontsev, Jefferson Puerta, David Conegliano, S. Jordan Kerns
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Patent number: 12209253Abstract: The invention relates to culturing brain endothelial cells, and optionally astrocytes and neurons in a fluidic device under conditions whereby the cells mimic the structure and function of the blood brain barrier. Culture of such cells in a microfluidic device, whether alone or in combination with other cells, drives maturation and/or differentiation further than existing systems.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2016Date of Patent: January 28, 2025Assignees: EMULATE, INC., CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTERInventors: S.Jordan Kerns, Norman Wen, Carol Lucchesi, Christopher Hinojosa, Jacob Fraser, Geraldine Hamilton, Gad Vatine, Samuel Sances, Clive Svendsen, Daniel Levner, II, Dhruv Sareen
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Patent number: 12187996Abstract: A device for simulating a function of a tissue includes a first structure, a second structure, and a membrane. The first structure defines a first chamber. The first chamber includes a matrix disposed therein and an opened region. The second structure defines a second chamber. The membrane is located at an interface region between the first chamber and the second chamber. The membrane includes a first side facing toward the first chamber and a second side facing toward the second chamber. The membrane separates the first chamber from the second chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2022Date of Patent: January 7, 2025Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Antonio Varone, Norman Wen, Daniel Levner, Richard Novak, Lori McPartlin, Donald E. Ingber, Youngjae Choe, Lian Leng, Justin K. Nguyen
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Patent number: 12173263Abstract: An organomimetic device includes a microfluidic device that can be used to culture cells in its microfluidic channels. The organomimetic device can be part of dynamic system that can apply mechanical forces to the cells by modulating the microfluidic device and the flow of fluid through the microfluidic channels. The membrane in the organomimetic device can be modulated mechanically via pneumatic means and/or mechanical means. The organomimetic device can be manufactured by the fabrication of individual components separately, for example, as individual layers that can be subsequently laminated together.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2014Date of Patent: December 24, 2024Assignee: PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGEInventors: Jose Fernandez-Alcon, Norman Wen, Richard Novak, Donald E. Ingber, Geraldine A. Hamilton, Christopher Hinojosa, Karel Domansky, Daniel Levner, Guy Thompson, II, Kambez Hajipouran Benam, Remi Villenave, Thomas Umundum, Alfred Paris, Georg Bauer
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Publication number: 20240344005Abstract: The invention generally relates to a microfluidic platforms or “chips” for testing and understanding cancer, and, more specifically, for understanding the factors that contribute to cancer invading tissues and causing metastases. Tumor cells are grown on microfluidic devices with other non-cancerous tissues under conditions that simulate tumor invasion. The interaction with immune cells can be tested to inhibit this activity by linking a cancer chip to a lymph chip.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2024Publication date: October 17, 2024Inventors: Geraldine A. Hamilton, Norman Wen, Catherine Karalis, Antonio Varone, Daniel Levner, Riccardo Barrile
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Patent number: 12091650Abstract: The invention relates to culturing brain endothelial cells, and optionally astrocytes and neurons in a fluidic device under conditions whereby the cells mimic the structure and function of the blood brain barrier. Culture of such cells in a microfluidic device, whether alone or in combination with other cells, drives maturation and/or differentiation further than existing systems.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2019Date of Patent: September 17, 2024Assignee: EMULATE, INC.Inventors: S. Jordan Kerns, Norman Wen, Carolina Lucchesi, Christopher David Hinojosa, Jacob Fraser, Geraldine Hamilton, Gad Vatine, Samuel Sances, Clive Svendsen, Daniel Levner, Dhruv Sareen
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Patent number: 12070746Abstract: Microfluidic “organ-on-a-chip” devices have been developed with the aim to replicate human tissues in vitro. However, there is no option to quantitatively monitor biological processes that take place within the chip, over time. Destructive methods in order to analyze, tissue formation, gene expression, protein secretion etc. require the harvest of the “tissue” at a certain time point. Described herein are methods and compositions for non-destructive molecular imaging methods and systems in order to quantitatively monitor specific biological processes, over time, within the chip, without the need to harvest.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2018Date of Patent: August 27, 2024Assignees: EMULATE, Inc., CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTERInventors: Dan Gazit, Gadi Pelled, Zulma Gazit, Dmitriy Sheyn, Christopher David Hinojosa, Norman Wen, Geraldine Hamilton
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Publication number: 20240254449Abstract: Organs-on-chips are microfluidic devices for culturing living cells in micrometer sized chambers in order to model physiological functions of tissues and organs. Engineered patterning and continuous fluid flow in these devices has allowed culturing of intestinal cells bearing physiologically relevant features and sustained exposure to bacteria while maintaining cellular viability, thereby allowing study of inflammatory bowl diseases. However, existing intestinal cells do not possess all physiologically relevant subtypes, do not possess the repertoire of genetic variations, or allow for study of other important cellular actors such as immune cells. Use of iPSC-derived epithelium, including IBD patient-specific cells, allows for superior disease modeling by capturing the multi-faceted nature of the disease.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2024Publication date: August 1, 2024Inventors: S. Jordan Kerns, Norman Wen, Carol Lucchesi, Christopher David Hinojosa, Jacob Fraser, Jefferson Puerta, Geraldine Hamilton, Robert Barrett, Clive Svendsen, Daniel Levner, Stephen R. Targan, Michael Workman, Dhruv Sareen, Uthra Rajamani, Magdalena Kasendra
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Publication number: 20240228954Abstract: The invention relates to culturing brain endothelial cells, and optionally astrocytes and neurons in a fluidic device under conditions whereby the cells mimic the structure and function of the blood brain barrier. Culture of such cells in a microfluidic device, whether alone or in combination with other cells, drives maturation and/or differentiation further than existing systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2023Publication date: July 11, 2024Inventors: S. Jordan Kerns, Norman Wen, Carolina Lucchesi, Christopher David Hinojosa, Jacob Fraser, Geraldine Hamilton, Gad Vatine, Samuel Sances, Clive Svendsen, Daniel Levner, Dhruv Sareen
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Publication number: 20240218309Abstract: A device for simulating a function of a tissue includes a first structure, a second structure, and a membrane. The first structure defines a first chamber. The first chamber includes a matrix disposed therein and an opened region. The second structure defines a second chamber. The membrane is located at an interface region between the first chamber and the second chamber. The membrane includes a first side facing toward the first chamber and a second side facing toward the second chamber. The membrane separates the first chamber from the second chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2024Publication date: July 4, 2024Inventors: Antonio Varone, Norman Wen, Daniel Levner, Richard Novak, Lori McPartlin, Donald E. Ingber, Youngjae Choe, Lian Leng, Justin K. Nguyen
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Patent number: 12019083Abstract: The present invention is related to the field of microfluidics and compound distribution within microfluidic devices and their associated systems. In one embodiment, present invention aims to solve the problem of molecule and compound absorbency into the materials making up laboratory equipment, microfluidic devices and their related infrastructure, without unduly restricting gas transport within microfluidic devices.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2022Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: EMULATE, INC.Inventors: Josiah Sliz, Daniel Levner, Brian Zuckerman, Norman Wen, Jonathan Rubins, Tanvi Shroff, Christopher David Hinojosa, Grace Ahn, Victor Antontsev, Jefferson Puerta, David Conegliano, S. Jordan Kerns
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Patent number: 11970680Abstract: The invention generally relates to a microfluidic platforms or “chips” for testing and understanding cancer, and, more specifically, for understanding the factors that contribute to cancer invading tissues and causing metastases. Tumor cells are grown on microfluidic devices with other non-cancerous tissues under conditions that simulate tumor invasion. The interaction with immune cells can be tested to inhibit this activity by linking a cancer chip to a lymph chip.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2017Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: EMULATE, Inc.Inventors: Geraldine A. Hamilton, Norman Wen, Catherine Karalis, Antonio Varone, Daniel Levner, Riccardo Barrile
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Patent number: 11952592Abstract: Organs-on-chips are microfluidic devices for culturing living cells in micrometer sized chambers in order to model physiological functions of tissues and organs. Engineered patterning and continuous fluid flow in these devices has allowed culturing of intestinal cells bearing physiologically relevant features and sustained exposure to bacteria while maintaining cellular viability, thereby allowing study of inflammatory bowl diseases. However, existing intestinal cells do not possess all physiologically relevant subtypes, do not possess the repertoire of genetic variations, or allow for study of other important cellular actors such as immune cells. Use of iPSC-derived epithelium, including IBD patient-specific cells, allows for superior disease modeling by capturing the multi-faceted nature of the disease.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: EMULATE, INC.Inventors: S. Jordan Kerns, Norman Wen, Carol Lucchesi, Christopher David Hinojosa, Jacob Fraser, Jefferson Puerta, Geraldine Hamilton, Robert Barrett, Clive Svendsen, Daniel Levner, Stephen R Targan, Michael Workman, Dhruv Sareen, Uthra Rajamani, Magdalena Kasendra
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Publication number: 20240084235Abstract: An organomimetic device includes a microfluidic device that can be used to culture cells in its microfluidic channels. The organomimetic device can be part of dynamic system that can apply mechanical forces to the cells by modulating the microfluidic device and the flow of fluid through the microfluidic channels. The membrane in the organomimetic device can be modulated mechanically via pneumatic means and/or mechanical means. The organomimetic device can be manufactured by the fabrication of individual components separately, for example, as individual layers that can be subsequently laminated together.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Jose Fernandez-Alcon, Norman Wen, Richard Novak, Donald E. Ingber, Geraldine A. Hamilton, Christopher Hinojosa, Karel Domansky, Daniel Levner, Guy Thompson, II, Kambez Hajipouran Benam, Remi Villenave, Thomas Umundum, Alfred Paris, Georg Bauer
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Patent number: 11859165Abstract: A microfluidic device is contemplated comprising an open-top cavity with structural anchors on the vertical wall surfaces that serve to prevent gel shrinkage-induced delamination, a porous membrane (optionally stretchable) positioned in the middle over a microfluidic channel(s). The device is particularly suited to the growth of cells mimicking dermal layers.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2023Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: EMULATE, INC.Inventors: Daniel Levner, Christopher David Hinojosa, Norman Wen, Antonio Varone, Justin Nguyen, Lina Williamson, S. Jordan Kerns, Catherine Karalis, Geraldine Hamilton, Carol Lucchesi
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Publication number: 20230287324Abstract: A microfluidic device is contemplated comprising an open-top cavity with structural anchors on the vertical wall surfaces that serve to prevent gel shrinkage-induced delamination, a porous membrane (optionally stretchable) positioned in the middle over a microfluidic channel(s). The device is particularly suited to the growth of cells mimicking dermal layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2023Publication date: September 14, 2023Inventors: Daniel Levner, Christopher David Hinojosa, Norman Wen, Antonio Varone, Justin Nguyen, Lina Williamson, S. Jordan Kerns, Catherine Karalis, Geraldine Hamilton, Carol Lucchesi
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Publication number: 20230159872Abstract: A device for simulating a function of a tissue includes a first structure, a second structure, and a membrane. The first structure defines a first chamber. The first chamber includes a matrix disposed therein and an opened region. The second structure defines a second chamber. The membrane is located at an interface region between the first chamber and the second chamber. The membrane includes a first side facing toward the first chamber and a second side facing toward the second chamber. The membrane separates the first chamber from the second chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2022Publication date: May 25, 2023Inventors: Antonio Varone, Norman Wen, Daniel Levner, Richard Novak, Lori McPartlin, Donald E. Ingber, Youngjae Choe, Lian Leng, Justin K. Nguyen