Patents by Inventor Peter C. Simpson

Peter C. Simpson 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: 6623613
    Abstract: A microfabricated liquid sample loading system comprising a first plate having an array of microfabricated holes passing therethrough; a second plate positioned against the first plate, the second plate having an array of microfabricated holes passing therethrough; and a plurality of microfabricated channels disposed on a surface of at least one of the first or second plates, the microfabricated channels connecting the array of microfabricated holes in the first plate with the array of microfabricated holes in the second plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Richard A. Mathies, Charles A. Emrich, Peter C. Simpson
  • Publication number: 20020068357
    Abstract: A miniature device has a body including one, two or more reaction chambers. The reaction chambers are constructed for one or more of the following: sample acquisition, preparation or analysis. Preferably, a sample preparation reaction includes nucleic acid extraction, amplification, nucleic acid fragmentation, labeling, extension or a transcription.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: Richard A. Mathies, Eric T. Lagally, Peter C. Simpson
  • Publication number: 20020060156
    Abstract: A fully integrated monolithic small volume PCR-CE device in glass, or the like materials, is fabricated using thin film metal heaters and thermocouples to thermally cycle sub-microliter PCR volumes. Successful amplification of a PCR fragment is demonstrated on a PCR-CE chip. The process utilizes a linear polyacrylamide surface coating coupled with addition of BSA to the amplification buffer was necessary to obtain amplification efficiencies comparable to a positive control. The micro-reactor reduced significantly the time required for amplification and the reaction volume was in the sub-microliter regime. Likewise addressed are the known problems connected with reliable microfabrication of metal coatings and the insulating layers required to shield these layers from the PCR reaction mix, and the longstanding unresolved issue of exposed metal regions in the PCR-CE chip resulting in electrolysis of water and bubble formation whenever a voltage is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Applicant: Affymetrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Mathies, Peter C. Simpson, Stephen J. Williams
  • Publication number: 20020040860
    Abstract: A method for assembling an unattended delivery device is provided. The method includes the steps of fastening a base to a first external surface, in which the base has a first base weight, and fastening a floor to the base. The method further includes the steps of fastening three walls to the floor, fastening a top to the walls, fastening an electronic assembly base to the top, and fastening an electronic assembly to the electronic assembly base. The method also includes the steps of fastening an electronic assembly cover to the walls and attaching a door to one end of one of the walls, in which the door, the walls, the top, and the floor form an enclosure. An apparatus for unattended delivery is provided. The apparatus includes a base fastened to a first external surface, in which the base has a first base weight, a floor fastened to the base, and three walls fastened to the floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventors: Dickon Isaacs, Peter C. Simpson, Jerimiah P. O'Leary, Jonathan I. Kaplan, Mark A. Zeh, Steven L. Atkins, Hans-Christoph Haenlein, Mark Stein, Timothy J. Ogilvie
  • Publication number: 20020006359
    Abstract: Apparatus for forward and reverse transfer of fluids through capillaries, consisting of at least one capillary, a pressure generating or housing means, which preferably includes a box, having first and second means for aligning the capillaries from one set of wells to a second set of wells, and applied pressure differential transfers small amounts of liquid uniformly and in parallel. A method of accurately controlling a desired volume of fluid flow is particularly useful for transferring liquids to and from a microtiter dish to a Capillary Array Electrophoresis Microplate having liquid wells spaced in a radially symmetric configuration, or for maximizing desired transfer of the like or improved novel enhanced patterned arrays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Applicant: AFFYMETRIX, INC.
    Inventors: RICHARD A. MATHIES, PETER C. SIMPSON
  • Publication number: 20010035351
    Abstract: The present invention provides a microfluidic analytical device and accompanying methods for injecting a sample and separating the components therein comprising an injection channel and an intersecting separation channel, the two channels formed to be in continuous fluid communication with one another. The separation channel preferably includes a separation material for resolving the components in a sample. The methods include using a first force, preferably a pressure differential, and a second force, preferably an electric field, to move samples through the microchannels. The device and methods are specially adapted to accommodate multiple sample injection and separation. Thus, the device and methods allow for increased sample throughput and are simple and inexpensive to carry out compared to related devices and methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventors: Peter C. Simpson, Ezra Van Gelder
  • Patent number: 6261431
    Abstract: A fully integrated monolithic small volume PCR-CE device in glass, or the like materials, is fabricated using thin film metal heaters and thermocouples to thermally cycle sub-microliter PCR volumes. Successful amplification of a PCR fragment is demonstrated on a PCR-CE chip. The process utilizes a linear polyacrylamide surface coating coupled with addition of BSA to the amplification buffer was necessary to obtain amplification efficiencies comparable to a positive control. The micro-reactor reduced significantly the time required for amplification and the reaction volume was in the sub-microlitre regime. Likewise addressed are the known problems connected with reliable microfabrication of metal coatings and the insulating layers required to shield these layers from the PCR reaction mix, and the longstanding unresolved issue of exposed metal regions in the PCR-CE chip resulting in electrolysis of water and bubble formation whenever a voltage is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Affymetrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Mathies, Peter C. Simpson, Stephen J. Williams
  • Patent number: 6143152
    Abstract: A capillary array electrophoresis (CAE) micro-plate with an array of separation channels connected to an array of sample reservoirs on the plate. The sample reservoirs are organized into one or more sample injectors. One or more waste reservoirs are provided to collect wastes from reservoirs in each of the sample injectors. Additionally, a cathode reservoir is also multiplexed with one or more separation channels. To complete the electrical path, an anode reservoir which is common to some or all separation channels is also provided on the micro-plate. Moreover, the channel layout keeps the distance from the anode to each of the cathodes approximately constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: The Regents of The University of California
    Inventors: Peter C. Simpson, Richard A. Mathies, Adam T. Woolley
  • Patent number: 5944224
    Abstract: A dispensing lid assembly for use with a container assembly and a container assembly including the lid assembly. The lid assembly can be attached to a container liner of the container assembly. The lid assembly includes a spigot housing through which liquids are dispensed. The spigot housing is configured with a grip portion which facilitates tipping of the container assembly with the lid assembly attached thereto. A dispensing conduit is provided in the lid assembly which communicates with a cavity in the container liner. A spring loaded valve assembly is retained in the spigot housing to controllably dispense liquids from the container liner through the dispensing conduit. A check valve assembly is included in the lid assembly. The check valve assembly provides controlled introduction of air into the container to equalize the pressure in the cavity during dispensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Outer Circle Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: Andrew Bert Hodge, John W. Lai, Rodney Hal Monson, Peter C. Simpson, Thomas J. Melk
  • Patent number: 5890628
    Abstract: A dispensing lid assembly which includes a rotatable spout for use with a container defining a container cavity. The container may be the type having deflectable sidewalls. The rotatable spout includes an arcuate ball portion and a nozzle portion. The arcuate rotator portion is retained on a base of the lid assembly to allow rotation thereof to align a through hole in the spout with a dispensing hole in the base. The arcuate rotator portion is configured to reduce the wear on a sealing gasket. A check valve assembly is attached to the base of the dispensing lid assembly. The check valve assembly includes a diaphragm which is pre-loaded within a valve chamber to provide a desired sealing effect between the diaphragm and the base portion. The check valve assembly is configured to pre-load forces on the diaphragm such that a desired inhaling force will unseat the diaphragm from the corresponding portion of the base to draw air therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Outer Circle Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter C. Simpson, John W. Lai, Thomas J. Melk
  • Patent number: 5048701
    Abstract: A product merchandiser assembly of the present invention comprises a product receiving member, an elongated arm, and a clip for slipping the product receiving member onto the arm. The arm includes a mounting end for mounting the arm from a support in a suspended position outwardly away from the support. The clip is fitted directly through the product receiving member onto the elongated arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Inventor: Peter C. Simpson
  • Patent number: D393569
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Outer Circle Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: John W. Lai, Peter C. Simpson, Thomas J. Melk
  • Patent number: D409090
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Outer Circle Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: John W. Lai, Peter C. Simpson, Thomas J. Melk