Patents by Inventor Ralf Lenigk

Ralf Lenigk 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: 11821891
    Abstract: A device and/or methodology are described that include a mechanism for separating erythrocytes from other constituents of blood and for purifying leukocytes from blood. The separation and purification aspects may be provided in separate components or within the same component. The separation aspect assists in separating erythrocytes (red blood cells) from other cells in blood, such as by aggregation of the red blood cells. A suitable aggregation device or device component uses chambers with at least one small dimension (e.g., a microfluidic chip) to control the interaction of the blood with a solution containing a high molecular weight polymer (e.g., dextran) to achieve separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jessica Godin Karp, Xiaohui Chen, Kashan Ali Shaikh, Mengli Wang, Ralf Lenigk, Christine Lynne Surrette
  • Publication number: 20230219080
    Abstract: A closed system centrifuge tube is described and discussed herein that enables removal of waste and transfer and removal of samples via one or more ports of the centrifuge tube within the closed system, without exposing the sample to the outer environment. This may enable greater sample retention during sample processing and centrifugation of the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Puleo, Ralf Lenigk, Tejas Suresh Khire, Tyler Hammond, Erik Leeming Kvam, Allison Caron
  • Patent number: 11597960
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to approaches for assessing a sample or the presence of microorganisms. The sample, in certain implementations may be assessed for one or both of absence of microorganisms (sterility) and/or for concentration of said organisms (bio-burden). sample partition device may be employed that partitions the sample input volume into multiple discrete measurement zones with little or no loss of sample (e.g., zero-loss) and with little operator involvement, thereby reducing operator- and environment-based false positives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alex David Corwin, Erik Leeming Kvam, Christine Lynne Surrette, Brian Joseph Scherer, Pei-Hsin Kuo, Ralf Lenigk
  • Patent number: 11590502
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a consumable sample partition device and it assembly and use. The sample partition device can be used to test a sample for absence of microorganisms (sterility) and/or for concentration of said organisms (bio-burden). The sample partition device partitions the sample input volume into multiple discrete measurement zones with little or no loss of sample (e.g., zero-loss) and with little operator involvement, thereby reducing operator- and environment-based false positives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alex David Corwin, Erik Leeming Kvam, Christine Lynne Surrette, Brian Joseph Scherer, Pei-Hsin Kuo, Ralf Lenigk, Tyler John Hammond
  • Patent number: 11402349
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the manufacture and use of redox electrodes and their use in cell lysis. In certain embodiments, the redox electrodes are manufactured using a hybrid material approach, such as using a redox polymer in combination with a support substrate, such as cellulose fibers or paper. In certain implementations, the redox electrodes are suitable for use at voltages greater than 25 Volts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Global Life Sciences Solutions Operations UK Ltd
    Inventors: Andrea Jeannine Peters, Thomas Elliot Stecher, Craig Patrick Galligan, Christopher Michael Puleo, Ralf Lenigk
  • Patent number: 11399743
    Abstract: The systems and methods described herein provide a wearable sweat sensing device. The device includes a sweat patch component including a sweat biochemical sensor patch having a substrate defining a hole, at least one biochemical sensor, and a capture wick including a tip that extends through the hole, the capture wick configured to channel sweat across the at least one biochemical sensor. The sweat patch component further includes a wick downstream from the capture wick and separated from the capture wick by a gap, and electronic circuitry disposed against at least one face of the wick, wherein an electronic response of the electronic circuitry changes as sweat flows through the wick. The wearable sweat sensing device further includes an electronics module component configured to facilitate assessing hydration of a wearer based on signals from the at least one biochemical sensor and the electronic circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ralf Lenigk, Azar Alizadeh, Matthew Jeremiah Misner, Andrew Arthur Paul Burns, Richard Jeanluc St. Pierre
  • Patent number: 11311225
    Abstract: A system for monitoring medical conditions includes a conformable medical monitoring device that includes a first substrate layer, which includes an electronics module, many signal traces, and at least one electrode, such that one or more of the many signal traces electrically couple the at least one electrode to the electronics module. The conformable medical monitoring device includes a second substrate layer positioned over the electronics module, the first substrate layer, or any combination thereof to insulate the electronics module, the first substrate layer, or any combination thereof. The conformable medical monitoring device also includes a third substrate layer positioned over the second substrate layer, such that the third substrate layer reduces electromagnetic interference caused by a voltage pulse and includes an adjustable system coupled to the first substrate layer and that changes a position of the at least one electrode relative to the electronics module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Azar Alizadeh, Andrew A. Burns, Matthew Jeremiah Misner, Ralf Lenigk, Jeffrey Michael Ashe, Obi Aghogho, Nancy Cecelia Stoffel, Juha Virtanen, Otto Pekander, Timo Toivanen, Robert Santala
  • Patent number: 11033859
    Abstract: A method of eluting biomolecules, such as nucleic acids from a biological sample by electroelution is provided. An example of a method includes various steps, such as loading the biological sample to a device comprising a housing, at least two conductive redox polymer electrodes operationally coupled to the housing and a biomolecule impermeable layer disposed on at least one of the electrodes. The loading of sample is followed by initiating an electrical connection to generate an electric field strength sufficient to elute biomolecules from the biological sample; and eluting the biomolecules from the biological sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Global Life Sciences Solutions Operations UK Ltd
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Puleo, John Richard Nelson, Patrick McCoy Spooner, Ralf Lenigk, Nicole Lea Wood, Li Zhu, Craig Patrick Galligan
  • Publication number: 20210088503
    Abstract: A device and/or methodology are described that include a mechanism for separating erythrocytes from other constituents of blood and for purifying leukocytes from blood. The separation and purification aspects may be provided in separate components or within the same component. The separation aspect assists in separating erythrocytes (red blood cells) from other cells in blood, such as by aggregation of the red blood cells. A suitable aggregation device or device component uses chambers with at least one small dimension (e.g., a microfluidic chip) to control the interaction of the blood with a solution containing a high molecular weight polymer (e.g., dextran) to achieve separation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Jessica Godin Karp, Xiaohui Chen, Kashan Ali Shaikh, Mengli Wang, Ralf Lenigk, Christine Lynne Surrette
  • Publication number: 20210002688
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to approaches for assessing a sample or the presence of microorganisms. The sample, in certain implementations may be assessed for one or both of absence of microorganisms (sterility) and/or for concentration of said organisms (bio-burden). sample partition device may be employed that partitions the sample input volume into multiple discrete measurement zones with little or no loss of sample (e.g., zero-loss) and with little operator involvement, thereby reducing operator- and environment-based false positives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Alex David Corwin, Erik Leeming Kvam, Christine Lynne Surrette, Brian Joseph Scherer, Pei-Hsin Kuo, Ralf Lenigk
  • Publication number: 20210001336
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a consumable sample partition device and it assembly and use. The sample partition device can be used to test a sample for absence of microorganisms (sterility) and/or for concentration of said organisms (bio-burden). The sample partition device partitions the sample input volume into multiple discrete measurement zones with little or no loss of sample (e.g., zero-loss) and with little operator involvement, thereby reducing operator- and environment-based false positives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Alex David Corwin, Erik Leeming Kvam, Christine Lynne Surrette, Brian Joseph Scherer, Pei-Hsin Kuo, Ralf Lenigk, Tyler John Hammond
  • Patent number: 10859563
    Abstract: A device and/or methodology are described that include a mechanism for separating erythrocytes from other constituents of blood and for purifying leukocytes from blood. The separation and purification aspects may be provided in separate components or within the same component. The separation aspect assists in separating erythrocytes (red blood cells) from other cells in blood, such as by aggregation of the red blood cells. A suitable aggregation device or device component uses chambers with at least one small dimension (e.g., a microfluidic chip) to control the interaction of the blood with a solution containing a high molecular weight polymer (e.g., dextran) to achieve separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Jessica Godin Karp, Xiaohui Chen, Kashan Ali Shaikh, Mengli Wang, Ralf Lenigk, Christine Lynne Surrette
  • Patent number: 10675622
    Abstract: An integrated device for a sample collection and transfer is provided. The integrated device comprises a capillary channel disposed between a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer comprises a hydrophilic layer comprising a fluid inlet for receiving a sample fluid to the capillary channel, wherein the capillary channel comprises an inner surface and an outer surface; and an outlet for driving out the sample fluid. The device further comprises a third layer comprising an adhesive material such as a patterned adhesive material and a flow path, wherein the third layer is disposed on the outer surface of the capillary, at a determining position relative to the outlet, such that the capillary is in contact with the third layer and the outlet is in contact with the flow path of the third layer for allowing the sample fluid out from the integrated device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ralf Lenigk, Erin Jean Finehout, Xuefeng Wang
  • Publication number: 20200107758
    Abstract: The systems and methods described herein provide a wearable sweat sensing device. The device includes a sweat patch component including a sweat biochemical sensor patch having a substrate defining a hole, at least one biochemical sensor, and a capture wick including a tip that extends through the hole, the capture wick configured to channel sweat across the at least one biochemical sensor. The sweat patch component further includes a wick downstream from the capture wick and separated from the capture wick by a gap, and electronic circuitry disposed against at least one face of the wick, wherein an electronic response of the electronic circuitry changes as sweat flows through the wick. The wearable sweat sensing device further includes an electronics module component configured to facilitate assessing hydration of a wearer based on signals from the at least one biochemical sensor and the electronic circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Ralf Lenigk, Azar Alizadeh, Matthew Jeremiah Misner, Andrew Arthur Paul Burns, Richard JeanLuc St. Pierre
  • Patent number: 10598577
    Abstract: A method includes providing a biological sample, providing a sample collection device, wherein the sample collection device includes a sample binding surface including a photodegradable polymer configured to bind the biological sample, contacting the biological sample with the sample binding surface of the sample collection device, and irradiating the sample binding surface and the bound biological sample using light emitted from a light source to initiate degradation of the photodegradable polymer of the sample binding surface to cause release of the biological sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Arunkumar Natarajan, John Richard Nelson, Patrick McCoy Spooner, Ralf Lenigk, Wei Gao, Kwok Pong Chan, Lakshmi Sireesha Kaanumalle, Abraham Joy, Nicholas Nun
  • Patent number: 10350592
    Abstract: An integrated device for a sample collection and transfer is provided. The integrated device comprises a capillary channel disposed between a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer comprises a hydrophilic layer comprising a fluid inlet for receiving a sample fluid to the capillary channel, wherein the capillary channel comprises an inner surface and an outer surface and an outlet for driving out the sample fluid. The device further comprises an interface assembly comprising: a third layer, a fourth layer, a fifth layer, and a flow path. The interface assembly is disposed on the outer surface of the capillary, at a determining position relative to the outlet, such that the capillary is in contact with the third layer of the interface assembly and the outlet is in contact with the flow path of the interface assembly for driving out the sample fluid from the integrated device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ralf Lenigk, Erin Jean Finehout, Xuefeng Wang
  • Publication number: 20190015008
    Abstract: A system for monitoring medical conditions includes a conformable medical monitoring device that includes a first substrate layer, which includes an electronics module, many signal traces, and at least one electrode, such that one or more of the many signal traces electrically couple the at least one electrode to the electronics module. The conformable medical monitoring device includes a second substrate layer positioned over the electronics module, the first substrate layer, or any combination thereof to insulate the electronics module, the first substrate layer, or any combination thereof. The conformable medical monitoring device also includes a third substrate layer positioned over the second substrate layer, such that the third substrate layer reduces electromagnetic interference caused by a voltage pulse and includes an adjustable system coupled to the first substrate layer and that changes a position of the at least one electrode relative to the electronics module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Azar Alizadeh, Andrew A. Burns, Matthew Jeremiah Misner, Ralf Lenigk, Jeffrey Michael Ashe, Obi Aghogho, Nancy Cecelia Stoffel, Juha Virtanen, Otto Pekander, Timo Toivanen, Robert Santala
  • Publication number: 20190003940
    Abstract: A method includes providing a biological sample, providing a sample collection device, wherein the sample collection device includes a sample binding surface including a photodegradable polymer configured to bind the biological sample, contacting the biological sample with the sample binding surface of the sample collection device, and irradiating the sample binding surface and the bound biological sample using light emitted from a light source to initiate degradation of the photodegradable polymer of the sample binding surface to cause release of the biological sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Arunkumar Natarajan, John Richard Nelson, Patrick McCoy Spooner, Ralf Lenigk, Wei Gao, Kwok Pong Chan, Lakshmi Sireesha Kaanumalle, Abraham Joy, Nicholas Nun
  • Publication number: 20180361317
    Abstract: A method of eluting biomolecules, such as nucleic acids from a biological sample by electroelution is provided. An example of a method includes various steps, such as loading the biological sample to a device comprising a housing, at least two conductive redox polymer electrodes operationally coupled to the housing and a biomolecule impermeable layer disposed on at least one of the electrodes. The loading of sample is followed by initiating an electrical connection to generate an electric field strength sufficient to elute biomolecules from the biological sample; and eluting the biomolecules from the biological sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Puleo, John Richard Nelson, Patrick McCoy Spooner, Ralf Lenigk, Nicole Lea Wood, Li Zhu, Craig Patrick Galligan
  • Patent number: 10132743
    Abstract: Disclosed is a low-cost, portable photo thermal spectroscopy (PTS) reader for use in detecting the presence of diseases in the bodily fluid of affected patients. The PTS reader is designed to be durable, easy to use and provide readings from the Lateral Flow Assay (LFA) with rapid results. Also provided are methods of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignees: General Electric Company, Tokitae LLC
    Inventors: Ralf Lenigk, Mark Marshall Meyers, Victor Petrovich Ostroverkhov, Timothy Toepfer, Keith Michael Looney, Terry Lee Saunders, Kevin Paul Flood Nichols, Matthew P. Horning, Benjamin K. Wilson, Daniel Keith Connors, David Gasperino