Patents by Inventor Philip N. Duncan

Philip N. Duncan 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).

  • Publication number: 20220391218
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a computing device capable of accepting, identifying, and processing signals from a plurality of different sensor types without sensor-specific code. The present invention features a small electronic device consisting of one or more sensors with a computing device that can be reconfigured for different purposes at any time, without the need for changing programming code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Mark Bachman, Philip N. Duncan
  • Publication number: 20220390933
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device capable of implementing a machine learning algorithm to identify states of operation, performance, and health of a piece of machinery based on vibration and sound patterns. The present invention features a small electronic device consisting of one or more sensors with a computing device, that collects patterns of vibration and/or acoustic measurement from machinery to generate one or more representative signals. The device uses a simple algorithm to characterize the representative signals, and uses a simple algorithm to compare future signals to the characterized signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Mark Bachman, Philip N. Duncan
  • Publication number: 20220314236
    Abstract: This invention describes a device to collect a subset of small particles, such as cells, utilizing one or more electric fields formed by conductors attached to an insulating structure. The invention utilizes one or more conducting materials which are connected to a voltage source to generate the electric fields. The conductors are placed in a liquid sample containing one or more populations of particles. Some of the particles may be attracted to or repelled from the conductors due to the electric fields. If attracted, the particles attach to the conductors, after which, the conductors are removed from the sample and placed into a second sample to collect the particles. Particles that are attracted to the conductors may be drawn into a cavity or tube via suction. Alternatively, particles that are repelled by the electric field are preferentially excluded from being drawn into a suction cavity placed near the conductors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Mark Bachman, Philip N. Duncan
  • Publication number: 20220266261
    Abstract: The present invention describes a device for sorting small particles using electric fields. The device described herein comprises one or more electrically conducting structures suspended in a fluid flow stream used to redirect the movement of particles in the flow stream. The electrically conducting structures are longitudinally disposed at a center axis of a fluidic channel. As particles flow in the fluid, electric fields on the suspended conductors move the small particles from one flow region to another, allowing them to be redirected to different endpoints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Mark Bachman, Philip N Duncan, Sarkis Babikian
  • Publication number: 20210379592
    Abstract: This invention describes a design for a multiwell plate that contains integrated pumps that are used to stir each well of the plate. The device employs microfluidic logic technology to drive each peristaltic pump. This enables the plates to run autonomously, requiring only a static vacuum supply for power. The devices are entirely constructed out of low-cost polymers, with no electronics, and yet contains simple digital logic circuits to control the pumps. A stack of these plates may be run continuously in a standard cell culture incubator, allowing high-throughput culture of organoids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Elliot En-Yu Hui, Erik Morgan Werner, Philip N. Duncan, Transon V. Nguyen, Siavash Ahrar
  • Publication number: 20190153376
    Abstract: This invention describes a design for a multiwell plate that contains integrated pumps that are used to stir each well of the plate. The device employs microfluidic logic technology to drive each peristaltic pump. This enables the plates to run autonomously, requiring only a static vacuum supply for power. The devices are entirely constructed out of low-cost polymers, with no electronics, and yet contains simple digital logic circuits to control the pumps. A stack of these plates may be run continuously in a standard cell culture incubator, allowing high-throughput culture of organoids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Elliot En-Yu Hui, Erik Morgan Werner, Philip N. Duncan, Transon V. Nguyen, Siavash Ahrar
  • Publication number: 20180023552
    Abstract: Microfluidic oscillator circuits and pumps for microfluidic devices are provided. The microfluidic pump may include a plurality of fluid valves and a microfluidic oscillator circuit having an oscillation frequency. The fluid valves may be configured to move fluids. Each fluid valve may be connected to a node of the microfluidic oscillator circuit. The pumps may be driven by the oscillator circuits such that fluid movement is accomplished entirely by circuits on a microfluidic chip, without the need for off-chip controls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Elliot En-Yu Hui, Philip N. Duncan, Transon V. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9784258
    Abstract: Microfluidic oscillator circuits and pumps for microfluidic devices are provided. The microfluidic pump may include a plurality of fluid valves and a microfluidic oscillator circuit having an oscillation frequency. The fluid valves may be configured to move fluids. Each fluid valve may be connected to a node of the microfluidic oscillator circuit. The pumps may be driven by the oscillator circuits such that fluid movement is accomplished entirely by circuits on a microfluidic chip, without the need for off-chip controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: The Regents of The University of California
    Inventors: Elliot E. Hui, Philip N. Duncan, Transon V. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20140079571
    Abstract: Microfluidic oscillator circuits and pumps for microfluidic devices are provided. The microfluidic pump may include a plurality of fluid valves and a microfluidic oscillator circuit having an oscillation frequency. The fluid valves may be configured to move fluids. Each fluid valve may be connected to a node of the microfluidic oscillator circuit. The pumps may be driven by the oscillator circuits such that fluid movement is accomplished entirely by circuits on a microfluidic chip, without the need for off-chip controls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Elliot E. Hui, Philip N. Duncan, Transon V. Nguyen