Patents by Inventor Robert John Filkins
Robert John Filkins 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: 9097900Abstract: Some systems described herein include a frequency dependent phase plate for generating multiple phase-contrast images of a sample, each from a different frequency range of light, each phase-contrast image for frequency range of light formed from light diffracted by the sample interfered with undiffracted light that has a frequency-dependent baseline relative phase shift from the phase plate. In some embodiments, the multiple phase-contrast images may be used to generate a quantitative phase image of a sample. The phase-contrast images or the produced quantitative phase image may have sufficient contrast for label-free auto-segmentation of cell bodies and nuclei.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2012Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Evgenia Mikhailovna Kim, Robert John Filkins, Chulmin Joo
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Publication number: 20150185453Abstract: A method for processing and imaging a first and second plurality of samples, comprising processing at least one sample from the first plurality of samples, imaging the at least one sample from the first plurality of samples, while being capable of simultaneously processing at least one sample from the second plurality of samples; and imaging the at least one processed sample from the second plurality of samples.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2013Publication date: July 2, 2015Inventors: Alex David Corwin, Robert John Filkins, Jun Xie, Nannan Chen, Kashan Ali Shaikh
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Patent number: 8964183Abstract: A screening module configured to screen at least a portion of a biological sample disposed on an analysis surface is provided. The screening module comprises a laser source a scanning unit comprising one or more scanning devices, wherein the scanning devices are configured to rotate in an oscillatory scanning motion about an axis of rotation to scan the analysis surface in at least one direction, wherein the scanning unit is physically coupled to the laser source, and a detection unit comprising one or more detection devices.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Chun Cheryl Zhan, Juntao Wu, Robert John Filkins, Peter William Lorraine
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Patent number: 8948488Abstract: Methods and systems for digitally enhancing an initial image of a material to which a plurality of stains were previously applied, that generally comprise: unmixing the image into a plurality of individual reconstructed images, each individual image corresponding to one of the stains; estimating a residual image corresponding to the difference between the original image and the reconstructed images; adjusting one or more components of the individual images; mixing the adjusted components using one or more estimated mixing coefficients; and adding the residual image to the mixed adjusted components to generate an enhanced image.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2009Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ali Can, Cemal Cagatay Bilgin, Jens Rittscher, Robert John Filkins
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Patent number: 8900529Abstract: A microfluidic flow cell subassembly, which may be assembled into a flow cell having fluidic connections outside of the main substrate, is described for encapsulating a sample to allow for subsequent controlled delivery of reagents to the sample, such as multiplexed in situ biomarker staining and analysis. Methods for fabricating the subassembly and assembled flow cell are also provided. The method includes the steps of adhering a gasket layer to a substrate layer, wherein the gasket layer may contain enclosed features and adhering an adherent layer to the gasket layer. The subassembly may be sealed against a solid support to form a flow cell.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2012Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kashan Ali Shaikh, Jessica Marie Godin, Alex David Corwin, Robert John Filkins
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Patent number: 8822147Abstract: Methods for detecting multiple targets in a biological sample are provided. The methods includes contacting the sample with a first probe; physically binding the first probe to a first target; observing a first signal from the first probe; applying a chemical agent to modify the first signal; contacting the sample with a second probe; physically binding the second probe to a second target; and observing a second signal from the second probe. The methods disclosed herein also provide for multiple iterations of binding, observing, signal modification for deriving information about multiple targets in a single sample. An associated kit and device are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2012Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Anup Sood, Michael Christopher Montalto, Michael Gerdes, Maximilian Lewis Seel, Robert John Filkins
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Patent number: 8818069Abstract: A method is provided for scaling an image taken at a given exposure time to a selected exposure time. The method generally comprises: determining a dark pixel intensity of an imaging device; acquiring a first image at a given exposure time; and adjusting a pixel intensity of one or more pixels in the first image, based at least in part on the dark pixel intensity, for a second exposure time that is different from the given exposure time.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Zhengyu Pang, Robert John Filkins
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Patent number: 8673643Abstract: A closed loop automated method for staining of a biological sample is provided. The method comprises providing a biological sample, staining at least a portion of the biological sample by flowing in a reagent, monitoring one or more optical characteristics of the biological sample, and calculating a figure of merit based on at least one of the optical characteristics. An automated device for iterative staining of a biological sample is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Alex David Corwin, Robert John Filkins, Jun Xie, Christopher James Sevinsky, Kashan Ali Shaikh
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Publication number: 20140055853Abstract: An open top microfluidic device comprising a microfluidic slide carrier and one or more multiplexing stations is provided which allows sequential staining and imaging without the need for using or removing a coverslip on a mounted biological sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2012Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Alex David Corwin, Robert John Filkins, Kashan Ali Shaikh, Adriana Ines Larriera Moreno
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Publication number: 20140045251Abstract: Methods for detecting multiple targets in a biological sample are provided. The methods includes contacting the sample with a first probe; physically binding the first probe to a first target; observing a first signal from the first probe; applying a chemical agent to modify the first signal; contacting the sample with a second probe; physically binding the second probe to a second target; and observing a second signal from the second probe. The methods disclosed herein also provide for multiple iterations of binding, observing, signal modification for deriving information about multiple targets in a single sample. An associated kit and device are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2013Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Anup Sood, Michael Christopher Montalto, Michael John Gerdes, Maximilian Lewis Seel, Robert John Filkins
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Publication number: 20140001337Abstract: A method for processing and imaging a first and second plurality of samples, comprising processing at least one sample from the first plurality of samples, imaging the at least one sample from the first plurality of samples, while being capable of simultaneously processing at least one sample from the second plurality of samples; and imaging the at least one processed sample from the second plurality of samples.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2012Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Alex David Corwin, Robert John Filkins, Jun Xie, Nannan Chen, Kashan Ali Shaikh
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Publication number: 20130335548Abstract: Some systems described herein include a frequency dependent phase plate for generating multiple phase-contrast images of a sample, each from a different frequency range of light, each phase-contrast image for frequency range of light formed from light diffracted by the sample interfered with undiffracted light that has a frequency-dependent baseline relative phase shift from the phase plate. In some embodiments, the multiple phase-contrast images may be used to generate a quantitative phase image of a sample. The phase-contrast images or the produced quantitative phase image may have sufficient contrast for label-free auto-segmentation of cell bodies and nuclei.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2012Publication date: December 19, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Evgenia Mikhailovna Kim, Robert John Filkins, Chulmin Joo
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Publication number: 20130321814Abstract: A screening module configured to screen at least a portion of a biological sample disposed on an analysis surface is provided. The screening module comprises a laser source a scanning unit comprising one or more scanning devices, wherein the scanning devices are configured to rotate in an oscillatory scanning motion about an axis of rotation to scan the analysis surface in at least one direction, wherein the scanning unit is physically coupled to the laser source, and a detection unit comprising one or more detection devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Chun Cheryl Zhan, Juntao Wu, Robert John Filkins, Peter William Lorraine
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Publication number: 20130287645Abstract: A microfluidic flow cell subassembly, which may be assembled into a flow cell having fluidic connections outside of the main substrate, is described for encapsulating a sample to allow for subsequent controlled delivery of reagents to the sample, such as multiplexed in situ biomarker staining and analysis. Methods for fabricating the subassembly and assembled flow cell are also provided. The method includes the steps of adhering a gasket layer to a substrate layer, wherein the gasket layer may contain enclosed features and adhering an adherent layer to the gasket layer. The subassembly may be sealed against a solid support to form a flow cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2012Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kashan Ali Shaikh, Jessica Marie Godin, Alex David Corwin, Robert John Filkins
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Patent number: 8532398Abstract: A method for the imaging of protein expression and location in biological samples using optical segmentation is provided. The steps comprise acquiring a fluorescent image of a biological sample, analyzing the image and generating a masking pattern corresponding to a specific structure within the biological sample, transforming the masking pattern into the spatial coordinates of a digital micro-mirror device (DMD) which may then be projected onto the biological sample and obtaining a masked fluorescent image. Also provided is an image analysis system for imaging of protein expression and location in biological samples using optical segmentation.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2010Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert John Filkins, Bahman Ebrahimi Kashef, Krenar Tasimi
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Patent number: 8508589Abstract: Imaging systems and methods for generating images of a sample wherein the system comprises an illumination source for illuminating the sample; an image viewing subsystem for capturing images from the sample; one or more liquid crystal panels and one or more birefringent elements, which are positioned between the sample and the image viewing subsystem, so that the images from the sample pass through the liquid crystal panels and the birefringent elements before reaching the image viewing subsystem; a device that changes one or more polarization states of the liquid crystal panels; and a controller that is configured to cause the device to change the polarization states of the liquid crystal panels.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2010Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kevin George Harding, Robert John Filkins, Gil Abramovich
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Publication number: 20130163002Abstract: Systems and methods described herein employ multiple phase-contrast images with various relative phase shifts between light diffracted by a sample and light not diffracted by the sample to produce a quantitative phase image. The produced quantitative phase image may have sufficient contrast for label-free auto-segmentation of cell bodies and nuclei.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2011Publication date: June 27, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Evgenia Mikhailovna Kim, Robert John Filkins, Chulmin Joo
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Publication number: 20120231967Abstract: Methods for detecting multiple targets in a biological sample are provided. The methods includes contacting the sample with a first probe; physically binding the first probe to a first target; observing a first signal from the first probe; applying a chemical agent to modify the first signal; contacting the sample with a second probe; physically binding the second probe to a second target; and observing a second signal from the second probe. The methods disclosed herein also provide for multiple iterations of binding, observing, signal modification for deriving information about multiple targets in a single sample. An associated kit and device are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2012Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Anup Sood, Michael Christopher Montalto, Michael Gerdes, Maximilian Lewis Seel, Robert John Filkins
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Publication number: 20120134603Abstract: Methods for scaling an image taken an optimal exposure time to a selected exposure time, generally comprising, determining a dark pixel intensity of an imaging device; acquiring a first image at an optimal exposure time; and adjusting a pixel intensity of one or more pixels in the first image, based at least in part on the dark pixel intensity, for a second exposure time that is different from the optimal exposure time.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2010Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Zhengyu Pang, Robert John Filkins
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Publication number: 20120135458Abstract: A closed loop automated method for staining of a biological sample is provided. The method comprises providing a biological sample, staining at least a portion of the biological sample by flowing in a reagent, monitoring one or more optical characteristics of the biological sample, and calculating a figure of merit based on at least one of the optical characteristics. An automated device for iterative staining of a biological sample is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2010Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Alex David Corwin, Robert John Filkins, Jun Xie, Christopher James Sevinsky, Kashan Ali Shaikh