Patents by Inventor Robert A. Modavis

Robert A. Modavis 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: 8408461
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system and a method for light beam interrogation of an optical biosensor and for monitoring a biological event on the biosensor for use, for example, in microplate image analysis. The system and method correct pointing-errors that can be encountered, for example, in scanning label-independent-detection biosensor applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert A. Modavis, Garrett A. Piech
  • Patent number: 8062900
    Abstract: A microplate for use within an interrogation system and a method of using the microplate are disclosed. The microplate contains within the bottom of each well, an optical waveguide grating based sensor. Approximate to each sensor is a mask having an aperture of predetermined size. The aperture regulates the light that enters and exits the sensor upon successive scans and ensures repeatable readings from the sensor. In an extended embodiment, a method of detection is disclosed that utilizes a launch and receive system while employing the aforementioned microplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert A. Modavis
  • Patent number: 7999944
    Abstract: A multi-channel swept wavelength optical interrogation system and a method are described herein that enable the interrogation of one or more biosensors which for example could be located within the wells of a microplate. In one embodiment, the optical interrogation system comprises: (a) a tunable laser that emits an optical beam which has a predetermined sequence of distinct wavelengths over a predetermined time period; (b) a distribution unit that splits the optical beam into a plurality of interrogation beams; (c) an array of optical interrogation units that receive and direct the interrogation beams towards an array of biosensors; (d) the array of optical interrogation units receive a plurality of reflected interrogation beams from the array of biosensors; (e) a data processing device that receives and processes information associated with the reflected interrogation beams to determine for example whether or not there was a biochemical interaction on anyone of the biosensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephen J. Caracci, Michael J. Dailey, Jr., William J. Miller, Robert A. Modavis, Deepti J. Mudaliar, David A. Pastel, Michael B. Webb, Qi Wu
  • Patent number: 7978893
    Abstract: A system and a method as defined herein for scan interrogation of, for example, a label-independent-detection (LID) biosensor, such as for monitoring a surface change or an event on a biosensor for use, for example, in microplate image analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert A. Modavis, Elvis A. Zambrano
  • Publication number: 20110006116
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system and a method for light beam interrogation of an optical biosensor and for monitoring a biological event on the biosensor for use, for example, in microplate image analysis. The system and method correct pointing-errors that can be encountered, for example, in scanning label-independent-detection biosensor applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Robert A. Modavis, Garrett A. Piech
  • Patent number: 7819320
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system and a method for light beam interrogation of an optical biosensor and for monitoring a biological event on the biosensor for use, for example, in microplate image analysis. The system and method correct pointing-errors that can be encountered, for example, in scanning label-independent-detection biosensor applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert A. Modavis, Garrett A. Piech
  • Patent number: 7741598
    Abstract: An optical interrogation system and a method are described herein that enable the interrogation of one or more biosensors which can be located within the wells of a microplate. In one embodiment, the optical interrogation system has a tunable laser, N-fiber launches, N-lenses and N-detectors that are set-up to interrogate N-biosensors. In another embodiment, the optical interrogation system has a tunable laser, N-fiber launches, N+1 lenses and N-detectors that are set-up to interrogate N-biosensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert A. Modavis, Qi Wu, Stephen J. Caracci, David A. Pastel
  • Publication number: 20100105148
    Abstract: A multi-channel swept wavelength optical interrogation system and a method are described herein that enable the interrogation of one or more biosensors which for example could be located within the wells of a microplate. In one embodiment, the optical interrogation system comprises: (a) a tunable laser that emits an optical beam which has a predetermined sequence of distinct wavelengths over a predetermined time period; (b) a distribution unit that splits the optical beam into a plurality of interrogation beams; (c) an array of optical interrogation units that receive and direct the interrogation beams towards an array of biosensors; (d) the array of optical interrogation units receive a plurality of reflected interrogation beams from the array of biosensors; (e) a data processing device that receives and processes information associated with the reflected interrogation beams to determine for example whether or not there was a biochemical interaction on anyone of the biosensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen J. Caracci, Michael J. Dailey, JR., William J. Miller, Robert A. Modavis, Deepti J. Mudaliar, David A. Pastel, Michael B. Webb, Qi Wu
  • Publication number: 20090219540
    Abstract: An optical interrogation system and a method are described herein that enable the interrogation of one or more biosensors which can be located within the wells of a microplate. In one embodiment, the optical interrogation system has a tunable laser, N-fiber launches, N-lenses and N-detectors that are set-up to interrogate N-biosensors. In another embodiment, the optical interrogation system has a tunable laser, N-fiber launches, N+1 lenses and N-detectors that are set-up to interrogate N-biosensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Robert A. Modavis, Qi Wu, Stephen J. Caracci, David A. Pastel
  • Patent number: 7576333
    Abstract: An optical interrogation system and a method are described herein that enable the interrogation of one or more biosensors which can be located within the wells of a microplate. In one embodiment, the optical interrogation system has a tunable laser, N-fiber launches, N-lenses and N-detectors that are set-up to interrogate N-biosensors. In another embodiment, the optical interrogation system has a tunable laser, N-fiber launches, N+1 lenses and N-detectors that are set-up to interrogate N-biosensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephen J. Caracci, Robert A. Modavis, David A. Pastel, Qi Wu
  • Publication number: 20090097027
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system and a method for light beam interrogation of an optical biosensor and for monitoring a biological event on the biosensor for use, for example, in microplate image analysis. The system and method correct pointing-errors that can be encountered, for example, in scanning label-independent-detection biosensor applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Robert A. Modavis, Garrett A. Piech
  • Publication number: 20090097013
    Abstract: A system and a method as defined herein for scan interrogation of, for example, a label-independent-detection (LID) biosensor, such as for monitoring a surface change or an event on a biosensor for use, for example, in microplate image analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Robert A. Modavis, Elvis A. Zambrano
  • Publication number: 20090032690
    Abstract: An optical interrogation system and a method are described herein that enable the interrogation of one or more biosensors which can be located within the wells of a microplate. In one embodiment, the optical interrogation system has a tunable laser, N-fiber launches, N-lenses and N-detectors that are set-up to interrogate N-biosensors. In another embodiment, the optical interrogation system has a tunable laser, N-fiber launches, N+1 lenses and N-detectors that are set-up to interrogate N-biosensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Robert A. Modavis
  • Patent number: 7471435
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apodization mask that narrows the central lobe of an optical image of a point in a focusing system and suppresses the amplitudes of the sidelobes of the image that are within a predetermined radius of the central axis of the sidelobes, thereby improving resolution of point objects that are relatively close together and presenting better images of small objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Inventor: Robert A. Modavis
  • Publication number: 20070154356
    Abstract: A microplate for use within an interrogation system and a method of using the microplate are disclosed. The microplate contains within the bottom of each well, an optical waveguide grating based sensor. Approximate to each sensor is a mask having an aperture of predetermined size. The aperture regulates the light that enters and exits the sensor upon successive scans and ensures repeatable readings from the sensor. In an extended embodiment, a method of detection is disclosed that utilizes a launch and receive system while employing the aforementioned microplate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventor: Robert Modavis
  • Patent number: 6943889
    Abstract: An athermal interferometric wavelocker is disclosed having a beam splitter combiner and a first arm of a first material having a first refractive index, a first length, and a first coefficient of expansion; and, a second arm of a second material having a second refractive index, a second length, and a second coefficient of expansion. The refractive indices, lengths and coefficients of expansion of the first arm and the second arm are selected to provide a substantially athermal structure operating at ambient temperatures. The first arm and second arm have inner end faces that meet adjacent faces of the beam splitter and combiner. The first and second arms are of a different optical path length such that light launched into the beam splitter and combiner, interferes upon recombining, and is output from a combiner output port to provide a wavelocker signal having a detectable characteristic which varies with wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Modavis
  • Publication number: 20050185242
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apodization mask that narrows the central lobe of an optical image of a point in a focusing system and suppresses the amplitudes of the sidelobes of the image that are within a predetermined radius of the central axis of the sidelobes, thereby improving resolution of point objects that are relatively close together and presenting better images of small objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Inventor: Robert Modavis
  • Publication number: 20050018981
    Abstract: The invention relates to a receiver optical sub-assembly (ROSA) for use in an optical transceiver to convert optical signals transmitted along an optical fiber into electrical signals for use by a host device. Conventionally, light exiting the optical fiber inside an optical coupler of the ROSA encounters a refractive index mismatched interface, e.g. fiber/air, causing a portion of the light to be reflected directly back into the fiber. To minimize back reflections at the interface with the optical fiber, an optical insert is provided having an index of refraction matching that of the optical fiber, thereby moving the mismatched interface remote from the end of the fiber to an interface of the optical insert and a lens, to which the optical insert is attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Applicant: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Modavis, Timothy Douglas Goodman, Roger Lindquist, Chris Hart, William Hogan
  • Patent number: 6694075
    Abstract: Filter gratings are formed in optical waveguides having photosensitive cores by exposing the cores to actinic radiation in the form of interfering beams having peak intensities that are relatively displaced along an optical axis of the waveguides. Each of the interfering beams has a single-lobed intensity profile and a degree of spatial coherence required to achieve a desired fringe contrast between the two relatively displaced beams. Index modulations in the photosensitive core match the illumination (interference) pattern of the radiation. The relative displacement of the interfering beams reduces side lobes of the gratings' spectral responses by leveling the average refractive index of the index modulations. A second exposure with the two beams but without the beams' interference effects further levels the average refractive index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Vikram Bhatia, Thomas A. Cook, Robert A. Modavis, Christopher D. Robson
  • Publication number: 20040021870
    Abstract: An athermal interferometric wavelocker is disclosed having a beam splitter combiner and a first arm of a first material having a first refractive index, a first length, and a first coefficient of expansion; and, a second arm of a second material having a second refractive index, a second length, and a second coefficient of expansion. The refractive indices, lengths and coefficients of expansion of the first arm and the second arm are selected to provide a substantially athermal structure operating at ambient temperatures. The first arm and second arm have inner end faces that meet adjacent faces of the beam splitter and combiner. The first and second arms are of a different optical path length such that light launched into the beam splitter and combiner, interferes upon recombining, and is output from a combiner output port to provide a wavelocker signal having a detectable characteristic which varies with wavelength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: JDS Uniphase Corporation State of Incorporation: Delaware
    Inventor: Robert Modavis