Patents by Inventor Robert S. Foote

Robert S. Foote 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: 20120220055
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of detecting cardiac ischemia by measuring the levels of BNP or NTproBNP. Increases in BNP or NTproBNP levels in an individual are indicative of cardiac ischemia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: Trustees of Dartmouth College
    Inventors: Robert S. Foote, Kiang-Tech Jërry Yeo
  • Patent number: 8193336
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for performing light-directed reactions in spatially addressable channels within a plurality of channels. One aspect of the invention employs photoactivatable reagents in solutions disposed into spatially addressable flow streams to control the parallel synthesis of molecules immobilized within the channels. The reagents may be photoactivated within a subset of channels at the site of immobilized substrate molecules or at a light-addressable site upstream from the substrate molecules. The method and apparatus of the invention find particularly utility in the synthesis of biopolymer arrays, e.g., oligonucleotides, peptides and carbohydrates, and in the combinatorial synthesis of small molecule arrays for drug discovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: Robert S. Foote
  • Patent number: 8083915
    Abstract: A microfabricated device employing a bridging membrane and methods for electrokinetic transport of a liquid phase biological or chemical material using the same are described. The bridging membrane is deployed in or adjacent to a microchannel and permits either ionic current flow or the transport of gas species, while inhibiting the bulk flow of material. The use of bridging membranes in accordance with this invention is applicable to a variety of processes, including electrokinetically induced pressure flow in a region of a microchannel that is not influenced by an electric field, sample concentration enhancement and injection, as well as improving the analysis of materials where it is desired to eliminate electrophoretic bias. Other applications of the bridging membranes according to this invention include the separation of species from a sample material, valving of fluids in a microchannel network, mixing of different materials in a microchannel, and the pumping of fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobson, J. Michael Ramsey, Christopher T. Culbertson, William B. Whitten, Robert S. Foote
  • Patent number: 7931790
    Abstract: A microfabricated device employing a bridging membrane and methods for electrokinetic transport of a liquid phase biological or chemical material using the same are described. The bridging membrane is deployed in or adjacent to a microchannel and permits either ionic current flow or the transport of gas species, while inhibiting the bulk flow of material. The use of bridging membranes in accordance with this invention is applicable to a variety of processes, including electrokinetically induced pressure flow in a region of a microehannel that is not influenced by an electric field, sample concentration enhancement and injection, as well as improving the analysis of materials where it is desired to eliminate electrophoretic bias. Other applications of the bridging membranes according to this invention include the separation of species from a sample material, valving of fluids in a microchannel network, mixing of different materials in a microchannel, and the pumping of fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobson, J. Michael Ramsey, Christopher T. Culbertson, William B. Whitten, Robert S. Foote
  • Patent number: 7909973
    Abstract: A microfabricated device employing a bridging membrane and methods for electrokinetic transport of a liquid phase biological or chemical material using the same are described. The bridging membrane is deployed in or adjacent to a microchannel and permits either ionic current flow or the transport of gas species, while inhibiting the bulk flow of material. The use of bridging membranes in accordance with this invention is applicable to a variety of processes, including electrokinetically induced pressure flow in a region of a microchannel that is not influenced by an electric field, sample concentration enhancement and injection, as well as improving the analysis of materials where it is desired to eliminate electrophoretic bias. Other applications of the bridging membranes according to this invention include the separation of species from a sample material, valving of fluids in a microchannel network, mixing of different materials in a microchannel, and the pumping of fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobson, J. Michael Ramsey, Christopher T. Culbertson, William B. Whitten, Robert S. Foote
  • Publication number: 20100010209
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for performing light-directed reactions in spatially addressable channels within a plurality of channels. One aspect of the invention employs photoactivatable reagents in solutions disposed into spatially addressable flow streams to control the parallel synthesis of molecules immobilized within the channels. The reagents may be photoactivated within a subset of channels at the site of immobilized substrate molecules or at a light-addressable site upstream from the substrate molecules. The method and apparatus of the invention find particularly utility in the synthesis of biopolymer arrays, e.g., oligonucleotides, peptides and carbohydrates, and in the combinatorial synthesis of small molecule arrays for drug discovery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventor: Robert S. Foote
  • Patent number: 7550410
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for performing light-directed reactions in spatially addressable channels within a plurality of channels. One aspect of the invention employs photoactivatable reagents in solutions disposed into spatially addressable flow streams to control the parallel synthesis of molecules immobilized within the channels. The reagents may be photoactivated within a subset of channels at the site of immobilized substrate molecules or at a light-addressable site upstream from the substrate molecules. The method and apparatus of the invention find particularly utility in the synthesis of biopolymer arrays, e.g., oligonucleotides, peptides and carbohydrates, and in the combinatorial synthesis of small molecule arrays for drug discovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Inventor: Robert S. Foote
  • Publication number: 20090032399
    Abstract: A microfabricated device employing a bridging membrane and methods for electrokinetic transport of a liquid phase biological or chemical material using the same are described. The bridging membrane is deployed in or adjacent to a microchannel and permits either ionic current flow or the transport of gas species, while inhibiting the bulk flow of material. The use of bridging membranes in accordance with this invention is applicable to a variety of processes, including electrokinetically induced pressure flow in a region of a microchannel that is not influenced by an electric field, sample concentration enhancement and injection, as well as improving the analysis of materials where it is desired to eliminate electrophoretic bias. Other applications of the bridging membranes according to this invention include the separation of species from a sample material, valving of fluids in a microchannel network, mixing of different materials in a microchannel, and the pumping of fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobson, J. Michael Ramsey, Christopher T. Culbertson, William B. Whitten, Robert S. Foote
  • Publication number: 20080272000
    Abstract: A microfabricated device employing a bridging membrane and methods for electrokinetic transport of a liquid phase biological or chemical material using the same are described. The bridging membrane is deployed in or adjacent to a microchannel and permits either ionic current flow or the transport of gas species, while inhibiting the bulk flow of material. The use of bridging membranes in accordance with this invention is applicable to a variety of processes, including electrokinetically induced pressure flow in a region of a microchannel that is not influenced by an electric field, sample concentration enhancement and injection, as well as improving the analysis of materials where it is desired to eliminate electrophoretic bias. Other applications of the bridging membranes according to this invention include the separation of species from a sample material, valving of fluids in a microchannel network, mixing of different materials in a microchannel, and the pumping of fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobson, J. Michael Ramsey, Christopher T. Culbertson, William B. Whitten, Robert S. Foote
  • Publication number: 20080128279
    Abstract: A microfabricated device employing a bridging membrane and methods for electrokinetic transport of a liquid phase biological or chemical material using the same are described. The bridging membrane is deployed in or adjacent to a microchannel and permits either ionic current flow or the transport of gas species, while inhibiting the bulk flow of material. The use of bridging membranes in accordance with this invention is applicable to a variety of processes, including electrokinetically induced pressure flow in a region of a microehannel that is not influenced by an electric field, sample concentration enhancement and injection, as well as improving the analysis of materials where it is desired to eliminate electrophoretic bias. Other applications of the bridging membranes according to this invention include the separation of species from a sample material, valving of fluids in a microchannel network, mixing of different materials in a microchannel, and the pumping of fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobson, J. Michael Ramsey, Christopher T. Culbertson, William B. Whitten, Robert S. Foote
  • Patent number: 7179591
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for performing light-directed reactions in spatially addressable channels within a plurality of channels. One aspect of the invention employs photoactivatable reagents in solutions disposed into spatially addressable flow streams to control the parallel synthesis of molecules immobilized within the channels. The reagents may be photoactivated within a subset of channels at the site of immobilized substrate molecules or at a light-addressable site upstream from the substrate molecules. The method and apparatus of the invention find particularly utility in the synthesis of biopolymer arrays, e.g., oligonucleotides, peptides and carbohydrates, and in the combinatorial synthesis of small molecule arrays for drug discovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Inventor: Robert S. Foote
  • Patent number: 6685809
    Abstract: A microfabricated device employing a bridging membrane and methods for electrokinetic transport of a liquid phase biological or chemical material using the same are described. The bridging membrane is deployed in or adjacent to a microchannel and permits either ionic current flow or the transport of gas species, while inhibiting the bulk flow of material. The use of bridging membranes in accordance with this invention is applicable to a variety of processes, including electrokinetically induced pressure flow in a region of a microchannel that is not influenced by an electric field, sample concentration enhancement and injection, as well as improving the analysis of materials where it is desired to eliminate electrophoretic bias. Other applications of the bridging membranes according to this invention include the separation of species from a sample material, valving of fluids in a microchannel network, mixing of different materials in a microchannel, and the pumping of fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobson, J. Michael Ramsey, Christopher T. Culbertson, William B. Whitten, Robert S. Foote
  • Patent number: 6660480
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing nucleic acids includes immobilizing nucleic probes at specific sites within a microchannel structure and moving target nucleic acids into proximity to the probes in order to allow hybridization and fluorescence detection of specific target sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: J. Michael Ramsey, Robert S. Foote
  • Publication number: 20020160405
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing nucleic acids includes immobilizing nucleic probes at specific sites within a microchannel structure and moving target nucleic acids into proximity to the probes in order to allow hybridization and fluorescence detection of specific target sequences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: J. Michael Ramsey, Robert S. Foote
  • Publication number: 20020106700
    Abstract: A method for characterizing an individual protein contained in a complex mixture of proteins includes the steps of: providing a mixture containing different proteins; fragmenting at least one of the proteins contained in the mixture into a terminal peptide and a non-terminal peptide; separating the terminal peptide from the non-terminal peptide; and analyzing at least one chemical characteristic of the terminal peptide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Robert S. Foote, J. Michael Ramsey
  • Patent number: 6428896
    Abstract: A method of performing a lower temperature bonding technique to bond together two mating pieces of glass includes applying a sodium silicate aqueous solution between the two pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: J. Michael Ramsey, Robert S. Foote
  • Patent number: 6376181
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing nucleic acids includes immobilizing nucleic probes at specific sites within a microchannel structure and moving target nucleic acids into proximity to the probes in order to allow hybridization and fluorescence detection of specific target sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: J. Michael Ramsey, Robert S. Foote
  • Patent number: 6346305
    Abstract: A method of performing a lower temperature bonding technique to bond together two mating pieces of glass includes applying a sodium silicate aqueous solution between the two pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: J. Michael Ramsey, Robert S. Foote
  • Publication number: 20010029028
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for performing light-directed reactions in spatially addressable channels within a plurality of channels. One aspect of the invention employs photoactivatable reagents in solutions disposed into spatially addressable flow streams to control the parallel synthesis of molecules immobilized within the channels. The reagents may be photoactivated within a subset of channels at the site of immobilized substrate molecules or at a light-addressable site upstream from the substrate molecules. The method and apparatus of the invention find particularly utility in the synthesis of biopolymer arrays, e.g., oligonucleotides, peptides and carbohydrates, and in the combinatorial synthesis of small molecule arrays for drug discovery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventor: Robert S. Foote
  • Publication number: 20010006785
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing nucleic acids includes immobilizing nucleic probes at specific sites within a microchannel structure and moving target nucleic acids into proximity to the probes in order to allow hybridization and fluorescence detection of specific target sequences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Publication date: July 5, 2001
    Inventors: J. MICHAEL RAMSEY, ROBERT S. FOOTE