Patents by Inventor Samuel K. Sia
Samuel K. Sia 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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Publication number: 20140031750Abstract: MicroElectroMechanical System (MEMS) devices can be fabricated completely of hydrogel materials. Such hydrogels can include polyethylene glycol with diacrylate functional groups (e.g., PEGDA), which are photopolymerizable in the presence of crosslinkers and photoinitiators. By using PEGDA monomers of different molecular weights and at different percentages, the mechanical properties of the polymerized gels and their respective permeabilities can be tuned. This spatial variation in properties and permeabilities can lead to different functionalities between different portions of the hydrogel MEMS device. Portions of the hydrogel device may be remotely actuated by applying wave energy, for example, a magnetic field, high intensity focused ultrasound, and/or infrared radiation. The remote actuation can allow the device to be actuated in vivo, for example, to allow the device to deliver a drug or other substance at a desired time and/or desired location within a patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2013Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New YorkInventors: OLGA ORDEIG, SAMUEL K. SIA, SAU YIN CHIN, ANNE-CELINE KOHLER, YUK KEE CHEUNG POH
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Patent number: 8613776Abstract: An extracellular matrix (ECM)-based scaffold suitable for artificial skin as well as other structures can be formed using a bioreactor fabricated with a pattern that introduces desired structural features, on the microscale and/or nanoscale, to ECM-precursors gelled in the bioreactor. The bioreactor can produce a finely patterned scaffold—over clinically relevant size scales—sufficiently robust for routine handling. Preformed ECM-based scaffolds can also have microscale and/or nano-scale structural features introduced into a surface thereof. ECM-based scaffolds may be formed with well-defined structural features via microetching and/or remodeling via ‘contact degradation.’ A surface-activated pattern can be used to degrade the ECM-based scaffold at contact regions between the pattern and the ECM. The produced ECM-based scaffolds can have structures of dimensions conducive to host tissue ingrowth while preserving the fibrous structure and ligand density of natural ECMs.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2008Date of Patent: December 24, 2013Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New YorkInventors: Yuk Kee Cheung, Samuel K. Sia, Curtis D. Chin, Brian Michael Gillette
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Patent number: 8574924Abstract: An assay method is described, which comprises the steps of immobilizing a binding partner (e.g., an antigen or antibody) for an analyte to be detected (e.g., an antibody or antigen) on a portion of a surface of a microfluidic chamber; passing a fluid sample over the surface and allowing the analyte to bind to the binding partner; allowing a metal colloid, e.g., a gold-conjugated antibody, to associate with the bound analyte; flowing a metal solution, e.g., a silver solution, over the surface such as to form an opaque metallic layer; and detecting the presence of said metallic layer, e.g., by visual inspection or by measuring light transmission through the layer, conductivity or resistance of the layer, or metal concentration in the metal solution after flowing the metal solution over the surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2010Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Samuel K. Sia, Vincent Linder, Babak Amir-Parviz, Adam Siegel, George M. Whitesides
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Patent number: 8501416Abstract: The present invention relates generally to microfluidic structures, and more specifically, to microfluidic structures and methods including meandering and wide channels. Microfluidic systems can provide an advantageous environment for performing various reactions and analysis due to a reduction in sample and reagent quantities that are required, a reduction in the size of the operating system, and a decrease in reaction time compared to conventional systems. Unfortunately, the small size of microfluidic channels can sometimes result in difficulty in detecting a species without magnifying optics (such as a microscope or a photomultiplier). A series of tightly packed microchannels, i.e., a meandering region, or a wide channel having a dimension on the order of millimeters, can serve as a solution to this problem by creating a wide measurement area.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2006Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Vincent Linder, Samuel K. Sia, George M. Whitesides, Max Narovlyansky, Adam Siegel
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Patent number: 8475737Abstract: Fluidic connectors, methods, and devices for performing analyses (e.g., immunoassays) in microfluidic systems are provided. In some embodiments, a fluidic connector having a fluid path is used to connect two independent channels formed in a substrate so as to allow fluid communication between the two independent channels. One or both of the independent channels may be pre-filled with reagents (e.g., antibody solutions, washing buffers and amplification reagents), which can be used to perform the analysis. These reagents may be stored in the channels of the substrate for long periods amounts of time (e.g., 1 year) prior to use.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2012Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: OPKO Diagnostics, LLCInventors: Vincent Linder, David Steinmiller, Samuel K. Sia
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Patent number: 8431090Abstract: A particle counter for analyzing blood has features which provide for automatic operation and preferably, also provide for portable use in a low resource setting. In a preferred embodiment, preferred embodiment, the device is used to obtain CD4 counts for AIDS diagnosis.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2008Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New YorkInventors: Yuk Kee Cheung, Samuel K. Sia, Curtis D. Chin, Neha Agarwal
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Publication number: 20130096029Abstract: Microfabricated platforms can be used to study a heterogeneous panel of biosamples in a realistic in vivo setting. The platform can be formed of a polymer (e.g., a hydrogel) and can be constructed for implantation into an animal host for in vivo testing. The platform can have a plurality of testing regions therein that are constructed to allow exposure of the testing region to the host stroma when implanted in vivo. For example, the microfabricated platform can be used for screening different cancer cell-lines (e.g., to identify which cell line responds to an anti-cancer drug) or for screening different biomaterials (e.g., to identify a composition with ideal host response for a specific implantable device).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2012Publication date: April 18, 2013Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORKInventors: Samuel K. Sia, HESAM PARSA
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Patent number: 8409527Abstract: Fluidic connectors, methods, and devices for performing analysis (e.g., immunoassays) in microfluidic systems are provided. In some embodiments, a fluidic connector having a fluid path is used to connect two independent channels formed in a substrate so as to allow fluid communication between the two independent channels. One or both of the independent channels may be pre-filled with reagents (e.g., antibody solutions, washing buffers and amplification reagents), which can be used to perform the analysis. These reagents may be stored in the channels of the substrate for long periods amounts of time (e.g., 1 year) prior to use.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2012Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: OPKO Diagnostics, LLCInventors: Vincent Linder, David Steinmiller, Samuel K. Sia
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Patent number: 8389272Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering one or more fluids. Fluids may be delivered sequentially from a common vessel to a chemical, biological or biochemical process.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2011Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Vincent Linder, Samuel K. Sia, George M. Whitesides
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Publication number: 20130048092Abstract: Microfabricated microvalves may be used with liquid-filled control channels and actuated using compact and battery-powered components, without the need for heavier or fixed infrastructure. The disclosed embodiments include microvalves with on-off fluid control with relatively fast response times, coordinated switching of multiple valves, and operation of a biological (enzyme-substrate) assay in a handheld configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Applicant: The Trustee of Columbia University in the City of New YorkInventors: Kweku Addae-Mensah, Yuk Kee Cheung, Samuel K. Sia
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Publication number: 20130030354Abstract: MicroElectroMechanical System (MEMS) devices can be fabricated completely of hydrogel materials. Such hydrogels can include polyethylene glycol with diacrylate functional groups (e.g., PEGDA), which are photopolymerizable in the presence of crosslinkers and photoinitiators. By using PEGDA monomers of different molecular weights and at different percentages, the mechanical properties of the polymerized gels and their respective permeabilities can be tuned. This spatial variation in properties and permeabilities can lead to different functionalities between different portions of the hydrogel MEMS device. Portions of the hydrogel device may be remotely actuated by applying wave energy, for example, a magnetic field, high intensity focused ultrasound, and/or infrared radiation. The remote actuation can allow the device to be actuated in vivo, for example, to allow the device to deliver a drug or other substance at a desired time and/or desired location within a patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2012Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New YorkInventors: Sau Yin CHIN, Samuel K. Sia, Olga Ordeig, Anne-Celine Kohler, Yuk Kee Cheung
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Publication number: 20120269701Abstract: Fluidic connectors, methods, and devices for performing analyses (e.g., immunoassays) in microfluidic systems are provided. In some embodiments, a fluidic connector having a fluid path is used to connect two independent channels formed in a substrate so as to allow fluid communication between the two independent channels. One or both of the independent channels may be pre-filled with reagents (e.g., antibody solutions, washing buffers and amplification reagents), which can be used to perform the analysis. These reagents may be stored in the channels of the substrate for long periods amounts of time (e.g., 1 year) prior to use.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2012Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: OPKO Diagnostics, LLCInventors: Vincent Linder, David Steinmiller, Samuel K. Sia
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Publication number: 20120238033Abstract: Fluidic connectors, methods, and devices for performing analyses (e.g., immunoassays) in microfluidic systems are provided. In some embodiments, a fluidic connector having a fluid path is used to connect two independent channels formed in a substrate so as to allow fluid communication between the two independent channels. One or both of the independent channels may be pre-filled with reagents (e.g., antibody solutions, washing buffers and amplification reagents), which can be used to perform the analysis. These reagents may be stored in the channels of the substrate for long periods amounts of time (e.g., 1 year) prior to use.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2012Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: OPKO Diagnostics, LLCInventors: Vincent Linder, David Steinmiller, Samuel K. Sia
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Patent number: 8202492Abstract: Fluidic connectors, methods, and devices for performing analyses (e.g., immunoassays) in microfluidic systems are provided. In some embodiments, a fluidic connector having a fluid path is used to connect two independent channels formed in a substrate so as to allow fluid communication between the two independent channels. One or both of the independent channels may be pre-filled with reagents (e.g., antibody solutions, washing buffers and amplification reagents), which can be used to perform the analysis. These reagents may be stored in the channels of the substrate for long periods amounts of time (e.g., 1 year) prior to use. Prior to connection of the fluid connector and the substrate, the fluid path may be filled with a sample (e.g., blood). The sample may be obtained, for example, by pricking a finger of a user until blood is drawn from the finger into the fluid path (e.g., by capillary forces).Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2008Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: OPKO Diagnostics, LLCInventors: Vincent Linder, David Steinmiller, Samuel K. Sia
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Publication number: 20110315229Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering one or more fluids. Fluids may be delivered sequentially from a common vessel to a chemical, biological or biochemical process.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2011Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicant: President and Fellows of Havard CollegeInventors: Vincent Linder, Samuel K. Sia, George M. Whitesides
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Publication number: 20110243790Abstract: A particle counter for analyzing blood has features which provide for automatic operation and preferably, also provide for portable use in a low resource setting. In a preferred embodiment, preferred embodiment, the device is used to obtain CD4 counts for AIDS diagnosis.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2008Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: The Trustees of Columbia UniversityInventors: Yuk Kee Cheung, Samuel K. Sia, Curtis D. Chin, Neha Agarwal
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Patent number: 8030057Abstract: Method and device for storing and/or delivering fluids, wherein at least a first and a second fluid, such as chemical or biochemical reagents or rinse solutions, are maintained separately from each other in a common vessel and transferred in series from the vessel to a reaction site to carry out a predetermined chemical or biochemical reaction. Separation may be achieved by interposing a third fluid, e.g., a gaseous fluid plug, between the first and second fluids.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2005Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Vincent Linder, Samuel K. Sia, George M. Whitesides
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Publication number: 20110028341Abstract: A chemiluminescence-based detection system and method for counting blood cells by capturing and isolating target blood cells flowing through a microfluidic chip and detecting light emitted by the captured target blood cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New YorkInventors: Zuankai WANG, Sau Yin Chin, Samuel K. Sia
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Publication number: 20110015739Abstract: An extracellular matrix (ECM)-based scaffold suitable for artificial skin as well as other structures can be formed using a bioreactor fabricated with a pattern that introduces desired structural features, on the microscale and/or nanoscale, to ECM-precursors gelled in the bioreactor. The bioreactor can produce a finely patterned scaffold—over clinically relevant size scales—sufficiently robust for routine handling. Preformed ECM-based scaffolds can also have microscale and/or nano-scale structural features introduced into a surface thereof. ECM-based scaffolds may be formed with well-defined structural features via microetching and/or remodeling via ‘contact degradation.’ A surface-activated pattern can be used to degrade the ECM-based scaffold at contact regions between the pattern and the ECM. The produced ECM-based scaffolds can have structures of dimensions conducive to host tissue ingrowth while preserving the fibrous structure and ligand density of natural ECMs.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2008Publication date: January 20, 2011Applicant: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New YorkInventors: Yuk Kee Cheung, Samuel K. Sia, Curtis D. Chin, Brian Michael Gillette
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Publication number: 20100279310Abstract: An assay method is described, which comprises the steps of immobilizing a binding partner (e.g., an antigen or antibody) for an analyte to be detected (e.g., an antibody or antigen) on a portion of a surface of a microfluidic chamber; passing a fluid sample over the surface and allowing the analyte to bind to the binding partner; allowing a metal colloid, e.g., a gold-conjugated antibody, to associate with the bound analyte; flowing a metal solution, e.g., a silver solution, over the surface such as to form an opaque metallic layer; and detecting the presence of said metallic layer, e.g., by visual inspection or by measuring light transmission through the layer, conductivity or resistance of the layer, or metal concentration in the metal solution after flowing the metal solution over the surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2010Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Samuel K. Sia, Vincent Linder, Adam Siegel, George M. Whitesides, Babak Amir-Parviz