Patents by Inventor Ronald S. Reiserer

Ronald S. Reiserer 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: 20240182843
    Abstract: A chemostat comprises a chamber containing media with cells; an input tube for delivering nutrient-laden media that support cell growth and division within the chamber at an inflow rate; and an output tube for withdrawing a sample from the chamber at an outflow rate. The inflow and outflow rates are regulated such that the chemostat is operable in a sample accumulation phase in which the outflow rate is zero and the inflow rate increases in proportion to an instantaneous volume of media in the chamber so as to accumulate the sample without changes in a metabolic state within the chamber, or a sample withdrawal phase in which the outflow rate is regulated at a higher rate than the inflow rate to withdraw the accumulated sample from the chamber rapidly at one time and the inflow rate remains in proportion to the instantaneous volume to maintain chemostasis in the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2023
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: John P. Wikswo, Ronald S. Reiserer, Kyle Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20240110143
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a network platform that includes a fluidic network comprising one or more pumps, and one or more valves, and a plurality of fluidic modules interconnected by the fluidic network of the one or more pumps and the one or more valves to allow controlled transfer of suspended cells, other substances, and fluids from one fluidic module to another, or self-circulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: John P. Wikswo, Kieran David Nehil-Puleo, Ronald S. Reiserer
  • Patent number: 11939563
    Abstract: A continuous automated perfusion culture analysis system (CAPCAS) comprises one or more fluidic systems configured to operate large numbers of biodevices in parallel. Each fluidic system comprises an input reservoir plate for receiving media; a biodevice plate comprising an array of biodevices fluidically coupled to the input reservoir plate, configured such that each biodevice has independent media delivery, fluid removal, stirring, and gas control, and each biodevice is capable of continuously receiving the media from the input reservoir plate; and an output plate fluidically coupled to the biodevice plate for real-time analysis and sampling. The operations of the CAPCAS are automated and computer-controlled wirelessly. The CAPCAS can also be used for abiotic and biotic chemical synthesis processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ronald S. Reiserer, Gregory B. Gerken, David K. Schaffer, John P. Wikswo
  • Publication number: 20230338949
    Abstract: A fluidic system includes a fluid distribution network, and a fluid collection and sampling network; a plurality of fluidic modules fluidically coupled between the fluid distribution network and the fluid collection and sampling network in parallel; a systemic circulation and mixing reservoir; and a first pump, and a second pump, wherein the first pump is fluidically coupled between the systemic circulation and mixing reservoir and the fluid distribution network for withdrawing media from the systemic circulation and mixing reservoir and delivering the media to the fluid distribution network; and wherein the second pump is fluidically coupled between the fluid collection and sampling network and a sample vial for withdrawing effluent of the plurality of fluidic modules from the fluid collection and sampling network and delivering the effluent to one or more sample vials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Ronald S. Reiserer, John P. Wikswo
  • Patent number: 11746317
    Abstract: A fluidic cartridge comprises a fluidic disk having a plurality of alignment openings; a fluidic chip comprising a body, one or more channels formed in the body in fluidic communications with input ports and output ports for transferring one or more fluids between the input ports and the output ports, and a plurality of protrusions formed on the body and received in the alignment openings of the fluidic disk for aligning the fluidic chip to the fluidic disk; an actuator operably engaging with the one or more channels for selectively and individually transferring the one or more fluids through the one or more channels from at least one of the input ports to at least one of the output ports at desired flow rates; and a tube member defining a cylindrical housing for accommodating the fluidic disk, the fluidic chip and the actuator therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ronald S. Reiserer, Gregory B. Gerken, David K. Schaffer, John P. Wikswo
  • Patent number: 11745180
    Abstract: Microfluidic systems, pumps, valves and applications of the same are provided. The microfluidic system may be a pump or a valve having a fluidic chip and an actuator controlling the opening and closing of the fluidic channel in the fluidic chip. The actuator may be disposed to tilt from the fluidic chip, forming a tilted-rotor peristaltic pump. Alternatively, the actuator may be a rolling ball actuator, and different fluidic chips may be used in different applications. For example, the fluidic chip may be a spiral pump chip having spiral channels, a rotary peristaltic pump chip having multiple output channels, or a multi-port valve chip having one port interconnected with multiple different ports. An analytical valve chip may switchably interconnect bioreactor and rinse/calibration input channels to sensor and waste output channels. The actuator of a random-access valve can move from one valve position to another without opening or closing intermediate ones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ronald S. Reiserer, David K. Schaffer, Philip C. Samson, Dmitry A. Markov, Michael Geuy, Lisa J. McCawley, John P. Wikswo
  • Publication number: 20230271181
    Abstract: A fluidic device includes a fluidic chip having a fluidic network comprising a plurality of fluidic channels in fluidic communication with a plurality of input ports, at least one output port, and at least one sensing port; and an actuator configured to engage with the fluidic network to control each fluidic channel to switch between an open state in which fluidic flow through said fluidic channel is permitted and a closed state in which no fluidic flow through said fluidic channel is permitted, so as to selectively collect fluid from multiple inputs via the plurality of input ports, and direct either all of the multiple inputs to the at least one output port, or all but a single selected input to the at least one output port and the single selected input to the at least one sensing port to which an analytical instrument is operably connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: David K. Schaffer, Ronald S. Reiserer, Michael D. Geuy, John P. Wikswo
  • Publication number: 20230132012
    Abstract: One aspect of this invention relates to a vertical-via rotary valve including a valve body having a housing; one or more fluidic channels, each fluidic channel having a vertical channel portion defined in the valve body and being adjacent to the housing, wherein a fluid flow through the vertical channel portion is controllable by deforming a sidewall of the vertical channel portion; and an actuator received in the housing and rotatably engaged with the one or more fluidic channels to operably control the fluid flow through the vertical channel portion of each fluid channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: David K. Schaffer, John P. Wikswo, Ronald S. Reiserer, Michael D. Geuy, Eric C. Spivey, Clayton M. Britt, Jacquelyn A. Brown, Dmitry A. Markov, Shannon Faley, Lisa J. McCawley, Philip C. Samson
  • Publication number: 20230121352
    Abstract: A fluidic cartridge comprises a fluidic disk having a plurality of alignment openings; a fluidic chip comprising a body, one or more channels formed in the body in fluidic communications with input ports and output ports for transferring one or more fluids between the input ports and the output ports, and a plurality of protrusions formed on the body and received in the alignment openings of the fluidic disk for aligning the fluidic chip to the fluidic disk; an actuator operably engaging with the one or more channels for selectively and individually transferring the one or more fluids through the one or more channels from at least one of the input ports to at least one of the output ports at desired flow rates; and a tube member defining a cylindrical housing for accommodating the fluidic disk, the fluidic chip and the actuator therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Ronald S. Reiserer, Gregory B. Gerken, David K. Schaffer, John P. Wikswo
  • Publication number: 20230122594
    Abstract: Microfluidic systems, pumps, valves and applications of the same are provided. The microfluidic system may be a pump or a valve having a fluidic chip and an actuator controlling the opening and closing of the fluidic channel in the fluidic chip. The actuator may be disposed to tilt from the fluidic chip, forming a tilted-rotor peristaltic pump. Alternatively, the actuator may be a rolling ball actuator, and different fluidic chips may be used in different applications. For example, the fluidic chip may be a spiral pump chip having spiral channels, a rotary peristaltic pump chip having multiple output channels, or a multi-port valve chip having one port interconnected with multiple different ports. An analytical valve chip may switchably interconnect bioreactor and rinse/calibration input channels to sensor and waste output channels. The actuator of a random-access valve can move from one valve position to another without opening or closing intermediate ones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Ronald S. Reiserer, David K. Schaffer, Philip C. Samson, Dmitry A. Markov, Michael Geuy, Lisa J. McCawley, John P. Wikswo
  • Patent number: 11565256
    Abstract: Microfluidic systems, pumps, valves and applications of the same are provided. The microfluidic system may be a pump or a valve having a fluidic chip and an actuator controlling the opening and closing of the fluidic channel in the fluidic chip. The actuator may be disposed to tilt from the fluidic chip, forming a tilted-rotor peristaltic pump. Alternatively, the actuator may be a rolling ball actuator, and different fluidic chips may be used in different applications. For example, the fluidic chip may be a spiral pump chip having spiral channels, a rotary peristaltic pump chip having multiple output channels, or a multi-port valve chip having one port interconnected with multiple different ports. An analytical valve chip may switchably interconnect bioreactor and rinse/calibration input channels to sensor and waste output channels. The actuator of a random-access valve can move from one valve position to another without opening or closing intermediate ones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ronald S. Reiserer, David K. Schaffer, Philip C. Samson, Dmitry A. Markov, Michael Geuy, Lisa J. McCawley, John P. Wikswo
  • Publication number: 20230019924
    Abstract: A continuous automated perfusion culture analysis system (CAPCAS) comprises one or more fluidic systems configured to operate large numbers of biodevices in parallel. Each fluidic system comprises an input reservoir plate for receiving media; a biodevice plate comprising an array of biodevices fluidically coupled to the input reservoir plate, configured such that each biodevice has independent media delivery, fluid removal, stirring, and gas control, and each biodevice is capable of continuously receiving the media from the input reservoir plate; and an output plate fluidically coupled to the biodevice plate for real-time analysis and sampling. The operations of the CAPCAS are automated and computer-controlled wirelessly. The CAPCAS can also be used for abiotic and biotic chemical synthesis processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Ronald S. Reiserer, Gregory B. Gerken, David K. Schaffer, John P. Wikswo
  • Publication number: 20220362769
    Abstract: Microfluidic systems, pumps, valves and applications of the same are provided. The microfluidic system may be a pump or a valve having a fluidic chip and an actuator controlling the opening and closing of the fluidic channel in the fluidic chip. The actuator may be disposed to tilt from the fluidic chip, forming a tilted-rotor peristaltic pump. Alternatively, the actuator may be a rolling ball actuator, and different fluidic chips may be used in different applications. For example, the fluidic chip may be a spiral pump chip having spiral channels, a rotary peristaltic pump chip having multiple output channels, or a multi-port valve chip having one port interconnected with multiple different ports. An analytical valve chip may switchably interconnect bioreactor and rinse/calibration input channels to sensor and waste output channels. The actuator of a random-access valve can move from one valve position to another without opening or closing intermediate ones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Ronald S. Reiserer, David K. Schaffer, Philip C. Samson, Dmitry A. Markov, Michael Geuy, Lisa J. McCawley, John P. Wikswo
  • Patent number: 11474531
    Abstract: A robot for transporting a biodevice from one place to another place, comprising a body for carrying the biodevice; a driving assembly for driving the body in omnidirectional motion; a sensing unit for sensing at least a position and orientation of the body; and a control unit coupled to the driving assembly and the sensing unit for generating one or more control signals based on at least the sensed position and orientation of the body to drive the driving assembly so as to move the body to a desired place and to arrive with the correct orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ronald S. Reiserer, John P. Wikswo
  • Patent number: 11465144
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, the fluidic device includes a fluidic chip includes a body having a first surface and an opposite, second surface, one or more channels formed in the body in fluidic communications with input ports and output ports for transferring one or more fluids between the input ports and the output ports, and a fluidic chip registration means formed on the first surface for aligning the fluidic chip with a support structure; and an actuator configured to engage with the one or more channels at the second surface of the body for selectively and individually transferring the one or more fluids through the one or more channels from at least one of the input ports to at least one of the output ports at desired flowrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: David K. Schaffer, Dmitry A. Markov, Ronald S. Reiserer, Lisa McCawley, Michael Geuy, Clayton M. Britt, John P. Wikswo
  • Patent number: 11447734
    Abstract: A continuous automated perfusion culture analysis system (CAPCAS) comprises one or more fluidic systems configured to operate large numbers of biodevices in parallel. Each fluidic system comprises an input reservoir plate for receiving media; a biodevice plate comprising an array of biodevices fluidically coupled to the input reservoir plate, configured such that each biodevice has independent media delivery, fluid removal, stirring, and gas control, and each biodevice is capable of continuously receiving the media from the input reservoir plate; and an output plate fluidically coupled to the biodevice plate for real-time analysis and sampling. The operations of the CAPCAS are automated and computer-controlled wirelessly. The CAPCAS can also be used for abiotic and biotic chemical synthesis processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ronald S. Reiserer, Gregory B. Gerken, David K. Schaffer, John P. Wikswo
  • Publication number: 20220229441
    Abstract: A robot for transporting a biodevice from one place to another place, comprising a body for carrying the biodevice; a driving assembly for driving the body in omnidirectional motion; a sensing unit for sensing at least a position and orientation of the body; and a control unit coupled to the driving assembly and the sensing unit for generating one or more control signals based on at least the sensed position and orientation of the body to drive the driving assembly so as to move the body to a desired place and to arrive with the correct orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Ronald S. Reiserer, John P. Wikswo
  • Patent number: 11384751
    Abstract: A push-pull micropump includes one or more pairs of channels configured to transfer one or more fluids, each channel pair having an aspiration channel and an injection channel; and an actuator configured to engage the one or more pairs of channels, wherein the actuator comprises a plurality of rolling members and a driving member configured such that when the driving member rotates, the plurality of rolling members rolls along the one or more pairs of channels to cause individually the one or more fluids to transfer through each channel pair simultaneously at different flowrates or the same flowrate, depending upon actuated lengths of the aspiration and injection channels of each channel pair, wherein an actuated length of a channel is defined by a length of the channel along which the plurality of rolling members rolls during a full rotation of the driving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: John P. Wikswo, Ronald S. Reiserer, David K. Schaffer, Dmitry A. Markov, Clayton M. Britt
  • Publication number: 20220135925
    Abstract: A continuous automated perfusion culture analysis system (CAPCAS) comprises one or more fluidic systems configured to operate large numbers of biodevices in parallel. Each fluidic system comprises an input reservoir plate for receiving media; a biodevice plate comprising an array of biodevices fluidically coupled to the input reservoir plate, configured such that each biodevice has independent media delivery, fluid removal, stirring, and gas control, and each biodevice is capable of continuously receiving the media from the input reservoir plate; and an output plate fluidically coupled to the biodevice plate for real-time analysis and sampling. The operations of the CAPCAS are automated and computer-controlled wirelessly. The CAPCAS can also be used for abiotic and biotic chemical synthesis processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Ronald S. Reiserer, Gregory B. Gerken, David K. Schaffer, John P. Wikswo
  • Publication number: 20220042506
    Abstract: A push-pull micropump includes one or more pairs of channels configured to transfer one or more fluids, each channel pair having an aspiration channel and an injection channel; and an actuator configured to engage the one or more pairs of channels, wherein the actuator comprises a plurality of rolling members and a driving member configured such that when the driving member rotates, the plurality of rolling members rolls along the one or more pairs of channels to cause individually the one or more fluids to transfer through each channel pair simultaneously at different flowrates or the same flowrate, depending upon actuated lengths of the aspiration and injection channels of each channel pair, wherein an actuated length of a channel is defined by a length of the channel along which the plurality of rolling members rolls during a full rotation of the driving member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: John P. Wikswo, Ronald S. Reiserer, David K. Schaffer, Dmitry A. Markov, Clayton M. Britt